NationStates Jolt Archive

The OOC thread is here (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=518122). Please feel free to comment on this thread there. Yes, I know I said this will start in a Tavern, but I found this to be a better meet and greet situation. So if everyone can start on the ship... thanks. :)

When do Facts turn into Fiction?
When do the annals of History become the stuff of fables and tales used to frighten the young?
When exactly are Legends born?

5000 years have passed since the Demon Wars. 5000 years since the Underworld made a bid to change THE WORLD to another Infernal Realm. During those dark years, many mortals rose to face the terrors and in turn, found their place among the immortals of Legends.

For Centuries later, tales of mighty Mages and Sorceresses laying waste to vast armies filled the dreams of children. Great Warriors cleaving their enemies in twain inspired many to pick up sword and shield to defend the helpless. The Faithful calling down the wrath of the Gods upon their enemies as well as spreading the cool touch that healed body, mind and souls strengthened the Faiths. It was a time where Heroes walked among the mortals, where the Gods moved the World, and Good outweighed Evil in the cosmic balance.

But that was then. 5000 years have passed, and Facts became Fantasy, Legends and Myths became children stories, to be put aside when adulthood was obtained. The Faiths became diminished as corrupted Politicians and Rulers stretched their hands to grasp power and wealth for their own use. Might was now the Right, and those who had the Gold definitely made the Rules.

Now, the balance of power tilted to favor Evil, and in the Infernal Realms, many felt the shift… and plans were being made once more…

But as with such things, the Gods put forth into motion, the instruments to restore the balance and to once more, strengthen the seals that kept the Firestorm from being unleashed and to do that, the Gods agreed on one thing…

The Age of Heroes needed to be revived.

The Gods made their choice as to who would serve to herald the age back. Unfortunately, the Demons also had their agents in place to make sure the New Age dies before it’s born…

* * *

The ship wasn’t large, but it was filled with travelers heading towards the town of Bass Haven. Some were heading home, others to partake of the spawning run (the time when the large Salt Water Bass swim upstream to spawn… similar to Salmon but much larger and the meat is tender and full of flavor) and still some with more personal reasons. Whatever awaits the traveler however is still far away as the ship sails calmly on.

Captain Sorbot eyed the dark storm clouds in the distance and barked commands to his crew. He wanted to be berthed in port before the storm hit, his experienced eyes told him that this was going to be a large, bad storm. He knew that they will barely make it to port, unless… he grabbed his Pendant, bearing the sign of Ua'lee the Sea Goddess and pressed it to his lips in prayer…

Rumors of this area made him nervous. A mysterious Island appeared several months earlier. And many ships that sailed near it, whether by accident or by design, were never heard from again. The local lord send some guards there to investigate it, but they to never returned. It was easier and safer to just warn ships away from that area.

To beat the storm, Capt Sorbot had to sail dangerously close to the island.

The crew knew the risks and set the riggings with practiced ease but they too heard the rumors and strove to keep their worries from the passengers…

They mid-day light filtered through the leaves as a young man crept forward on bent legs. The actual killing of a deer wasn't very difficult, but stalking one was. He judged the distance, and decided that it was close enough. Choosing a slightly heavier arrow with a sharp edge, he knocked it and drew it the bow, aiming for the neck. In the anterior half of the deer's neck were the major life tubes: the cartoid ateries and veins, the esophagus, and the trachea. Hit the deer right, and if it doesn't bleed out, it'll drown in its own blood.

He released the arrow, catching the major arteries. The deer, upon impact, gallopped off. It traveled about fifteen steps before it collapsed. The man took the arrow, cleaned it, and then proceeded to drag the deer over to a more suitable location for carving it. Taking the good cuts, he burnt the rest, and scattered the ashes, muttering as he spoke.

He traveled back to his campsite, and once their, cut and skewered the meat to roast over his fire. That which he intended to eat now went into a pot, into which also went water, a few benign mushrooms, and a wild pepper from a plant he found nearby. This went over a small fire pit with a few logs and some tinder in it. The man made a small gesture, then pointed at the pit. A small fire sparked withing the wood, which then grew to a proper cooking fire.

After the stew had been properly cooked, he poured it into a bowl, while he then placed the remaining venison onto the spit. Adding some more small tinder and fresh leaves, he produced a nice smoke that began to collect near the venison. The man, Raibert MacGreydon, had cast a small level containment spell to properly smoke the meat, ensuring that it would last him more than a couple of days. As he ate, he watched the fire. Fire had mystique about it. It symbolized the beginnings of human thought, the tool by which all others were possible. And thus, in turn, did it symbolize the beginnings of human use of magic, the first steps on the road of study that Raibert himself was now travelling on.

Inanis was lying in the hammock as the boat swayed with the motion of the waves. It seemed it would be a fair storm, but tavern talk had listed the captain and his ship as reliable and capable, and most importantly wasn't into prying into his passengers buisness. He watched with a slightly indulgent smile as Yumi feasted on a fairly large pile of Taiyaki, a cake shaped and imaged in the form of a fish while filled with a variety of possible contents.

Had Inanis had the helm, the vessel would have likely found itself halfway across the world from its destination as neither he nor Yumi had any sense of direction. Closing his eyes, he fell into a soldier's sleep.

As Inanis fell into his doze, Yumi looked up and took the opportunity to pick up the nodachi. She had the will of a warrior, but neither the skill nor strength to match as was working to get stronger for Ina-chan.

ooc: Template (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=12340474&postcount=36)

The wind was icy cold at the bow of the smallish brig, whispering of a coming storm. The wind sometimes spoke to her, delivering little messages. It spoke to a lot of people really, but the other races seemed to have forgotten how to listen. Despite the chill, she crouched up on the rail at the bowsprit with a cloak about herself, and the deep hood pulled up over her head - a living maidenhead for all that she had moved. For balance, one hand loosely grasped the tack of the small jib sail. She could feel the power of the wind in the sheet. She, and "she" here referencing the ship, could take more before the captain would have to furl the sails. The rigging was sound, but there was only so much abuse the two masted ship could handle before her spars cracked, or worse, the mast outright.

Rhia's bow and quiver were slung across her back, and it was a natural comfort for her to feel them there. And though a small island loomed in the distance, she was waiting patiently for the large natural harbor of Bass Haven.

Xhar paced along the deck of the ship. He didn't like being onboard ships. Out in the water he was not in control of anything on the journey, and this unnerved him. It especially unnerved him that while he was in this situation something else arose the he could do nothing about. The dark clouds on the horizon fit this description quite well. On land storms where just another hassle, but at sea it could be deadly. If the captain was incompitant that is. Luckly this one came highly recomended. Still, Xhar was still unable to settle. He found it curious that the deck did not squeak below him as paced, as all the other ships he had been on did. Perhaps the ship was as sound as the captain. If that was the case, there should be nothing to worry about...

She was beginning to wish she had stayed at home.

Ever since the ship had set sail her stomach had been turning itself inside out, and now the vessel seemed to be rising and dipping more than ever.

Glad now that the villagers had clubbed together to buy her passage, rather than carrying out her original plan to stow away.
How much worse would she have been feeling cramped into the small lifeboat under the heavy tarpaulin, which had been her planned mode of travel.

They had said this ship had one of the most experienced captains and crews around, and as the clouds started to build , she certainly hoped this was so.

It wasn't as if she had ever been this far from the village before either, but they all had been urging her to go to now.
There would be more than strangers there now for the spawning run, so it is a good time to be there they said.

Captain Sorbot eyed the dark clouds persuing them. Ahead, the dark form of the Island drew near. although it had no mountains, a small corpse of trees, it still looked forboding. Around the island, the masts of several ships that drifted too close stuck out of the water, mute testiment of the fate of those who strayed to far.

already the wind picked up and the sea began to get rough. He whispered to his Pilot. "we need to get close to the cursed place if we're to make it to shore. Do your best. this looks to be a rough one."

"Rokas!" the captain bellowed. a young cabin boy scampered up to the wheel.

"Yessir!"

"Tell the cook to break out the rum and wine. the passengers and crew will need it."

The cabin boy ran down to pass the message along... pausing to look at the island he's only heard about... but quickly moving inside.

***

As Inanis fell into his doze, Yumi looked up and took the opportunity to pick up the nodachi. She had the will of a warrior, but neither the skill nor strength to match as was working to get stronger for Ina-chan.
After passing his message, Rokas started cleaning up the main cabin. getting it ready for the passengers midday meal. he stared at the little girl holding the large sword.

"do you know how to use that?"

***

Despite the chill, she crouched up on the rail at the bowsprit with a cloak about herself, and the deep hood pulled up over her head - a living maidenhead for all that she had moved. For balance, one hand loosely grasped the tack of the small jib sail.
a sailor busied himself securing the extra rigging lines. looked at the elven maiden... hunter actually... standing at the bow. looking like she was waiting for something.

"begging your pardon ma'am, but if ye be thinking about diving towards that island... it be fair warning to let ye know that the island is cursed. some say it's the island of Dorengrad, me, i say it's trouble."

***

Xhar paced along the deck of the ship.

"Beg your pardon" a young, well dressed woman addressed Xhar as she made her way unsteadily passed him. she looked well-bred, and also a bit green around the gills as she continued on down to the decks below.

she entered her room and proceeded to be violently sick in the basin.
damn, why did I have to travel by ship. a nice overland coach would've been better...

but then with bandits around...

as she cleaned herself up, her hand went to her bodice, and her eyes widened when they failed to locate the item normally nestled there. in a panic, she begins to search her bags.

a loud thunk is heard as Xhar continues his pacing. under his foot, he notices a large iron key embroidered with an unusual crest. the broken ribbon tied to the key suggests that it belongs to the woman.

***
Ever since the ship had set sail her stomach had been turning itself inside out, and now the vessel seemed to be rising and dipping more than ever.

The sailor noticed the young woman at the railing.

"Miss you ok? perhaps you should sit below decks... the weather doesn't look like it's going to be friendly anymore."

The sailor noticed the young woman at the railing.

"Miss you ok? perhaps you should sit below decks... the weather doesn't look like it's going to be friendly anymore."

She was still thinking about her send off, and wondering why the villagers had bothered to do all that, just so she could search for a Father who had wanted nothing to do do with her in the last seventeen years, when a voice broke through her thoughts, and she looked up to see a concerned face looking down at her.

"Sorry...were you talking to me?
I shall be fine I think, as soon as we are on dry land again.
Is that Bass Haven over there."

She pointed towards the forbidding looking land that was looming nearer.

Looking at the boy Yumi was about to reply when Inanis opened his eye, "Put it back Yumi." With a faint pout that fell on a blind eye as Sors had already closed his opened eye, she put the blade back and gave Rokas a look as if to say, 'What'?

Raibert stared out from his hilltop vantage point. The town was a while beneath him, if he tried, he could possibly make it by midnight. He could see the clouds gathering off the coast, a little too close to that island that appeared recently. Bad place. He had heard the stories, though it wasn't much, from the last time he had gone to civilization. He hoped that there were no ships at sea when that storm was out.

Choosing a path, the shouldered his pack of meat, and set out for town. Hopefully, the foreigners coming for the salmon runs would appreciate some smoked venison before thay set out for their watery pursuits. He could use the money. His cloak was getting a little shabby.

As the girl slipped passed him, Xhar could see that she dropped something, though he couldn't make out what it was. By the time he looked back up at her she had disappeared down into the ship. Xhar contenued pacing. Maybe the girl would notice it and come back. A few moment passed and his pacing brought Xhar back to where the girl had dropped... whatever it was. His foot met with a bit of uneverness on the deck and he untook the step. There on the deck was a rather ornamental looking key. Figuring that this must have been what the girl dropped, Xhar sighed and bent over to pick up the key.

Let not the items lost be claimed by the passer-by without first seeking out the true owner.

He quoted the verse in his head as he plucked the key from between two planks and stood. Then he turned and headed below deck to see if he could locate the girl. She looked ill enough without having to suffer the loss of something.

a sailor busied himself securing the extra rigging lines. looked at the elven maiden... hunter actually... standing at the bow. looking like she was waiting for something.

"begging your pardon ma'am, but if ye be thinking about diving towards that island... it be fair warning to let ye know that the island is cursed. some say it's the island of Dorengrad, me, i say it's trouble."

She stiffened as the sailor spoke to her, but it was hardly visible given her stance. Piercing green eyes flashed from the depths of her hood, and her grip tightened imperceptibly on the sail tack. Rhia glanced back over her shoulder slightly, but when she spoke, it was soft and controlled.

"Fear not, sailor. The salt water would ruin my arrows."

Dorengrad.. she had not failed to understand the implication behind the name. An ancient elven wizard, he was the stuff of nightmares now. A tale to frighten children who would disbehave. He was rumored to have survived all these years, and everything bad under the sun was purported to be his doing, but Rhia was skeptical.

Stepping down from the rail, she lowered her hood and tucked a long strand of reddish hair behind one elegantly pointed ear. Those startling eyes regarded the sailor for a moment, before she made her way aftward.

"Your ship is loose in stays, sailor. She won't survive the storm. You should see to that."

Her meaning was clear. He wasn't doing a very good job of tightening up the lines, and she questioned the wisdom of leaving the sails unfurled with the coming weather anyway.

"Is that Bass Haven over there." "nay lady... that cursed land appeared months ago... and according to rumors, any ship that ventures too close is sunk."

the sailor paused as he stared at the sails. then back towards the island.

"I be thinking you should get below decks. the... er... storm seems to be gaining on us, and the sea could turn rougher."

she put the blade back and gave Rokas a look as if to say, 'What'?Rokas gave her a wink and a grin, and continued to clean the tables and set the benches straight.

He turned and headed below deck to see if he could locate the girl. She looked ill enough without having to suffer the loss of something.as Xhar made his way down, the creaking of the wood planks grew louder. as if the ship was fighting against the current. in the main galley, several guests were lounging about, seeking shelter from the storm, a cabin boy is busy wiping down the last of the tables. ahead you see the door that leads to the officer's quarters, behind you, the ladder/stairs leading to the cargo hold as well as the door leading to the mess area where the scent of stew can be detected.

"Your ship is loose in stays, sailor. She won't survive the storm. You should see to that."The sailor looked sheepishly at his knots and busied himself correcting the error.

as Rhia made her way aft, the ship rocked sharply, not enough to alarm anyone, but for those who are sensitive enough to such movements... something pushed against the ship... sending her closer towards the island.

***

"Captain..." The pilot jerked the wheel but it refused to move. "we got a major problem."

Capt. Sorbot eyed the rapidly approaching storm clouds, checked their heading and felt the blood drain from his face. their course took them far too close to the island for his liking.

"damn!"

with the rudder stuck, he prayed that the rumors, for once, are just rumors.

***

Choosing a path, the shouldered his pack of meat, and set out for town. Hopefully, the foreigners coming for the salmon runs would appreciate some smoked venison before thay set out for their watery pursuits. He could use the money. His cloak was getting a little shabby.
Bass Haven, a medium sized fishing village, it sports two taverns, several stores but their main source of income was the fishing. it's said that one could put an unbaited hook into the water and still catch enough fish to feed their family. as you heft the prize of your hunt, you notice that while alot take note of your presence, many are busy securing their homes and businesses.

in the distance, you see the fishermen beaching and securing their boats well beyond the high water mark, while others are busy taking down the nets. one shop owner yells at his assistant as he drops the wood plank they were fastening over their shop's window.

several children run through the streets, some carrying bags laden with supplies, while others are busy snatching what they can from distracted merchants. one red-haired waif is chased away as the shop owner looks up in time to see the theft of a red fruit. The streets are busy as people rush to gather last minute supplies. frantically, others get out of their way, including a young blonde woman who trips backwards into an alleyway as two men rush by with more wood planks for their home.

the town was busy, preparing for the storm. As you make yourway inward, you hear a voice call out.

"Ho traveller, you made it just in time. Our weather witch predicts that the storm will hit us well after sundown. if you need a place to stay, I still have some room left... what with the early arrivals and all. I'll even give you a grand discount if you donate that fine deer into our hearth."

Raibert paused for a moment, considering his options. He needed a cloak, but he would also need shelter. At this point, his game would be valuable to innkeepers, but he doubted that the discount would be in his favor for the whole deer. It was time to barter.

"I'll offer you half of the venison I have," said Raibert, "as well as an offer to light the fire whenever it goes out tonight, in exchange for a low payment for my stay." Raibert stood, waiting for the innkeeper to reply.

Yumi decided to take a nap and climbed into her own hammock. There wasn't much to do on a boat afterall. She didn't like boats much, but it was much better than walking the distance and she knew Ina-chan would keep her safe as he had before, until she could keep herself safe. Then she'd marry him.

Xhar steadied himself against one of the tables as the boat rocked hard. He cursed for the thousandth time that he had to use this Gods-forsaken boat. Couldn't even track the little girl. He growled under his breath, swallowed his pride and looked over at the cabin boy.

"Which way did the girl go?"

The ship listed unnaturally as if broadsided by a strong wave. The currents, of course, were not hitting the ship broadside, and the captain knew better than to sail that way. All the same, one slender hand slid along the rail, using the structure for balance. She knew she should head below, but a sudden crack of lightening held her enraptured. Tightening the cinch of her quiver, Rhia much prefered to embrace the power and fury of the coming storm.

Heeding the sailors warning, Sybilla headed towards the stairs leading below decks.

As she took the first couple of steps downwards, the ship gave a lurch, throwing her down the last of the steps, landing her in an ungainly heap in front of a rather tall man who seemed to be looking for someone, and who was not in the best of moods, judging by the way he was growling under his breath.

She smiled sheepishly at him and scrambled to her feet, hoping the rumours the sailor had mentioned, about the strange land looming ahead was just that, an unfounded rumour.

Rubbing her bruised buttocks and hiding her bruised dignity, she sat on one of the softer seats, hoping the heaving of the ship would soon abate.

As Yumi was the only one he knew of on the ship that would qualify as a girl, Inanis sat up to look at the man. He didn't look particularly dangerous but then looks didn't really serve as a good judge.

"Who are you and why are you looking for a girl?" He asked in a low voice, his hand resting seemingly negligently on the hilt of his sword that Yumi had returned to it's proper place.

There was a rumble and a thud which did not seem to be the products of the growing storm, and this dischord caught Rhia's attention. Next came voices from below decks, and sounding none-too-pleased, either. Cautiously, she picked her way through the loose tacking and continued abaft toward a set of stairs. Just inside the threshold and out of the drizzling rain and spray, she lowered her hood and peered down into the dimness. She glimpsed what appeared to be two figures and a third sprawled between them. One slender hand grasped the entryway for balance against the rolling ship as she watched the scene below, nearly motionless.

Another girl stumbled her way down the stairs and fell at his feet. Xhar sighed and looked over at the man adressing him. The tone of his voice clearly indicated his suspicion. It was not uncommon for others to distrust him. Something about a shaved head covered with tribal looking tatooes he assumed.

"A girl bumped into me above deck. She dropped this."

He withdrew the key from the folds in his tunic, gribbing it by the small strip of fabric that had attatched it to said girl.

"Have you seen her? She came down only a moment ago."

As Yumi hadn't gone above deck any time recently, Inanis relaxed and with a faintly dismissive wave rolled back into the hammock. It was insulting to say the least, but quite frankly he didn't really care. If Baldy wanted to play Return the Key he could go right ahead, if he took offence to Sors' manners, or lack thereof, he'd find that his new barber prefered a bit of a lower cut than shaved.

Typical mercenary manors I see.

Xhar just shook his head and took a seat at the table. The girl would come out sooner or later, and there was only one way back up on deck. He set the key down on the table and started searching his pack for the flask he carried there in.

The air below reeked of potential conflict and Rhia wasn't overly inclined to venture into the dimly lit space. One of the men was looking for someone.. a girl. Rhia wasn't aware of any children on board, but then she had done her best to avoid the other passengers thus far. In part she had avoided them for personal reasons, but in part it was something else. Her particular line of elf was known for their aesthetic beauty. It was this quality which often drew others to her, and generally speaking, Rhia had not the patience for it. All of her race were tall and slender, both graceful and delicate in movement and speech alike, but this concealed a fighting prowess. Genetically, they were talented with a bow, and she was no exception. But she was also skilled with a blade, and her free hand delicately fell to the sheath at her waist, preparing should the need for it arise.

It was not the dimness of light that concerned her.. elves naturally enjoyed excellent night vision, and the adjustment time was minimal. The concern for her lay in the unknown. She could only see the three below, and nothing further. Cautiously, she descended one step, merely watching for now. They seemed to have calmed a bit now, but her curiousity had been piqued.

Judging by the look he had shot at her when she had landed at his feet, and the tone in which he had enquired about another girl's whereabouts, she guessed the tall man was not in good humour.
She had seen the likes of him before, passing through the village.
They were the sort that sometimes asked questions that had no answers but they never stayed more than a day or two anyway.

She put him out of her mind, and checked to make sure her things were still tied in the bundle she was wearing tied around her middle.

Yes, all is still here.

Her hand went to the ribbon around her throat.
Satisfied that all her belongings were intact, she relaxed a little.

As Xhar found and with drew the flask, still another traveler ventured down from the deck above.

Seems the storm is getting worse.

As the other figure descended Xhar noted that this one too was a woman. At the foot of the stairs he caught sight of the tell-tale ears of an elf. He'd crossed paths with several elves in his day, not one bad shot between them. He respected the race more so than humanity. They seemed to be more in tune with nature, and thus made better hunters. He nodded a curt but dignified hello to her, but then returned his attention to his flask. He murmerd a short prayer under his breath, then took a sip.

The man who had been enquiring acknowledged her presence, which snapped her from silent wonderment, to grim resolution. The set of her jaw hardened slightly as she took stock of the other in the room, but she held her tongue. The man sported tattoos, ones that sparked some vague suggestion of familiarity, and she was annoyed that she couldn't place them. She looked down at the girl on the floor as she passed, but did not pause to lend assistance. The man in the hammock warranted no more than a passing glance before she departed the cabin for a foreward-leading passageway.

Dess stood quietly at the back of the small room watching as the others on the ship interacted or, as the case seemed to be for some, how they ignored the other passengers; this made she smile inside even though it was not apparent to anyone who might be observing her.

There was something about her that let her be quickly dismissed and ignored unless the person was either looking for her, was extremely observant or Dess decided that she wanted to be seen and remembered. A trait that she valued,she had visited many of the people who specialized in race recognition and the like,yet none could explain her gift or tell her what she was.

A sharp roll of the ship pulled her from her thoughts and she moved a way from the wall taking a seat at the end of the table, nodding a some what useless acknowledgment to the tattooed man that sat there as well.

He swallowed his sanctified water, then replaced the flask to his pack. When he looked up, another girl had seated herself at the end of his table. He returned the nod of acknowlagement.

There are a large number of number of women on board this ship. Strange...

Strange as that revelation was, this newest girl was stranger still. Here eyes caught his attention most. Only a moment ago he could have sworn that they were different, btu he couldn't tell how. He shook the feeling and turned his attention elsewhere.

Dess sensed the mans slight confusion and subsequent dismissal, she continued her silent observation of the room, but found her self being drawn to the tattoos, the pattern of the seemed familiar, and after some time she came to the conclusion, though she could not read the characters, that it was a religious text of some sort.

I wonder what caused him to do that, perhaps he committed some crime and that was his punishment, to bear the laws of his faith forever as a reminder to remain faithful?

Xhar sighed. The boat was seriously rocking now, which meant that his equiment would probably be shifting and, quite possibly could have moved somewhere where he wouldn't find it. He descided to go check on his things. He took out the key again and wedged it between two of the planks in the table. It poked out enough that, should the girl return, it would be hard to miss. Then he plucked up his travel pack and started forward, towards where he stashed his things.

Rhia travelled in silence by nature's design, and as a result, she was keenly aware of the sounds around her. The ship creaked unnaturally, groaning and protesting against its lashing from the storm. But despite the irregularity, there was another, slightly less irregular sound. Footsteps.. someone else had ventured into the passageway behind her. Deliberately, she half glanced over her shoulder and was moderately surprized to spot the tattooed man a few paces back. Her hand did not find its way to the dagger hilt, but it knew the motion well should the need arise. Instead, she tucked a long strand of hair behind one elegantly pointed ear and half smiled. She had not stopped walking, but might have slowed the pace just slightly.

It wasn't the biggest ship he'd been on, and it by far wasn't the smallest, but in the short passageway it did feel rather cramp. The elven maiden that had ventured below deck a moment ago was still walking down as he entered. She turned and tried too look friendly, so he returned the effort. Just ahead of her, Xhar could see the small cache of barrels that he had tucked his things behind. They hadn't moved much and he could still see his spear leaning against aagainst the wall. Hiden behind the barrels and out of sight would be the rest of his equipment. Inwardly he was thankful that apparently nothing had moved, but he wouldn't be sure until he checked.

The tumble she had taken at least had one good point, her insides had stopped rebelling against the movement of the ship, which was no bad thing considering the rolling seemed to be worse than ever now.

A movement caught her eye, and an elven woman came down the stairs merely passing an eye over her, the she disappeared through the door on the other side.

Moments later, another girl entered the room.

About the same age and height as herself, Sybilla smiled shyly and nodded but the girl seemed absorbed by the sullen man, who after he had taken a drink, stood and followed the elf.

Unfriendly lot I must say.

She turned away from the girl and her thoughts once more went back to the village.

After the tattooed man headed down the hallway Dess looked back towards the ladder that led up to the deck, contemplating whether or not she should venture up to the deck. As she contemplated her choices she smiled and gave the other girl in the small room a nod.

"I hope this storm ends soon" she added softly.

The girl spoke so quietly that Sybilla almost missed her words.

"Oh...yes...I hope so too. I've never been on a ship before, and I don't think I like it much."

She couldn't think of anything to say although a hundred things went through her mind.

I hope she doesn't think I'm stupid or something.

"I'll offer you half of the venison I have," said Raibert, "as well as an offer to light the fire whenever it goes out tonight, in exchange for a low payment for my stay." "Aye, sounds fair, I'll pay ye for the other half of the venison tho. if the storm is half as bad as all told, we might be needing it. Deal?"

The Innkeeper opens the door and motions Raibert inside.

Inside, you can see it fairly crowded with travellers taking shelter from the incoming storm.


On board

there is a Loud crack as several large holes appear in the sides of the ship. water begins to pour in as the ship lurches as if caught in the jaws of a large creature. infact, the breeches in the hull resemble a large jaw. the only thing missing is the teeth that would've been where the water is now pouring in.

Within moments, a huge crack runs up the sides, splitting the ship in two and spilling people and cargo into a sea now come alive. many make a frantic swim towards shore, but alot do not make it.

when all is done, the survivors stand upon a small barren island. while it looked like a large piece of land from ship, here on shore, it's more like a spur of land. Lush trees that once covered the land have vanished to reveal a land covered in tall grasses. the sharp forboding rocks have vanished to reveal open beaches. a small hill sits in the exact center of the island. what looks like a depression is located at the side of the hill. Set into the depression is a stone door... the only semblance of shelter on this whole "island".

With some effort, the door opens, inside a small stairwell leads down into the darkness.

at the bottom of the stairwell, is another door. ornate wood carvings decorate the surface. that door is unlocked.

Inside, the Room is Dark Green. on the walls are gold fabric hangings and paintings of wilderness landscapes. A large melon shaped metal object moves across the floor in a regular pattern. it has two stubby legs and feet, but no head or arms can be seen. Against one wall is an oak table sporting many decanturs of drinks and some fruit and a cabinet made of metal. Another corner is a door. A large framed mirror hangs on the opposite wall.

The room is furnished with two chairs and two sofas. all of which are arrainged infront of a lit fireplace. Across the fireplace is a black doorway. to the right is a short hallway leading to another black opening. there is also a wooden door on the right wall of that short hallway.

Suddenly the ship listed unnaturally. Severly unnaturally. Xhar was thrown from his feet. The barrels holding his things in place scattered and his sack feel to the deck. Xhar rolled to his feet and grabbed his other sack, leaving the smaller one to fall in the gaping hole where he stood just a moment ago. He grabbed his spear and looked back over his shoulder. The elf looked like she could handle herself, so he turned his attention forward as the wood contenued to splinter. He lept back across the widening hole and dashed back to the mess hall, doging as many spintered planks as possible. He slid into the mess hall just as the ship splintered in half, blowing the entire room apart. The table where he had lodged the key spintered and flew. For some reason beyond his understanding Xhar needed that key. He dove after the table fragment in which the key was still lodged. It hit the water and Xhar hit it a split second after. He could feel blood and water mixing around him as he searched for the key. A glint of wet metal caught his eye

There you are.

He plucked the key from the wood, then swam away from the sinking ship. The mass of the ship sinking drug him back towards the wreckage, like a whirlpool, and threatened to drag him down with it. Xhar spotted a floating barrel near by and stabbed hard at it with his spear. The point hit home and he dragged himself to it, taking hold. The suction eased and Xhar looked over his shoulder. The bulk of the ship was gone and several people where drifting on various pieces of drift wood. The blood and water mixed; Xhar could no longer see out of his left eye. He passed out.

By some miracle, Xhar survived while unconcious floating on his barrel. He awoke on a beach. He still couldn't see out of his left eye and one of his boot was missing.

Wonderful. Guess I should be glad that my last client payed me with a second pair.

He checked to make sure that he still had his pack. He did, still clutched in his left hand. A little good news, thankfully. Xhar sat up and looked around the beach, looking for civilization or survivors... or anything, for that matter.

As the ship began cracking and the hull shattering, Inanis rolled out of the hammock in an instant. As he'd been in a soldier's sleep, which let one rest while remaining alert, he hadn't lost more than a minor instant in reaction time. Plucking Yumi up in a manner both gentle and roughly and swung her up into her 'pouch' with an order to hang on tightly.

Grabbing his blade as the ship split completely in two, he thrust it into his sash as he dove into the sea with Yumi clutching tightly onto his garment. With powerful strokes, he headed toward the briefly glanced land. Swimming in a stormy sea was like, but still unlike enought, to swimming rapids to make it a significant challenge.

An exhausted Sors stumbled into the shallows before collapsing. Yumi got to her feet, just barely touching on her tip-toes, and began getting Ina-chan onto the beach. It was easier than might otherwise have been as much of his weight was partially suspended in the water. Having gotten him enought onto the beach that they weren't in any immediate danger of drowning, she also collapsed in exhaustion.

Raibert handed the sack over. "Ten gold coins and free stay in exchange for the meat and the service." As Raibert entered, he was assaulted by the smell of food cooking. It wasn't too motley a group. There were always that few that sized everybody up when he or she would enter, a practice to see if it would be worth robbing them. A glance at the way he gripped his staff told them that he was a magic user. That was all that they needed, or wanted, to know.

The sudden violence aboard the ship was frightening to the point of paralysis. This was not a natural course of action.. some other force was at work here. The raw fury and undisputable wrongness about it turned Rhia's blood to ice in her veins. It was as if the sea had made itself into some large and fearsome creature hell-bent on destroying this vessel which would otherwise so arrogantly use the vast expanse to travel - melding nature itself to its own will to carry it forth. This had a feeling of vengeance to it, but more than that, of an unspeakable malice. As she found herself in danger of losing herself in the vision, she shook herself free, realizing that if she did not move she would die.

The tattooed man was long gone, and she was momentarily disoriented. With no time to wait, she picked a direction and took off at a dead sprint to the sounds of protesting timbers. The hallway snaked endlessly below decks, with no exit in sight. Then all to soon, her world was a mass of cracking wood, darkness, and then icy water. The ship was tearing itself apart. Without even enough time to think, she was under water, grasping at lengths of beam and rope and having no idea which way was up. She could only hang onto the wood and hope the chaos around her would settle and the beam would surface before she drowned. Struggling against the swirling torrents would only waste valuable energy. There was a bright flickering of light from directly beneath her, which she vaguely recognized to be lightening. Having found "up", she kicked hard and fought to the surface. Darkness claimed her long before she reached it.

The area was littered with the spintered remains of the ship, and in her struggles, Rhia had managed to tangle herself in much of the rope. Fortunately for her, she was effectively tethered to the beam she had previously clung to, and when it finally broke the surface, it dragged her body with it towards the island.

Before either of them had a chance to say anything else, there was a deafening noise and water started to pour through holes that weren't there a moment ago.

After that things happened so quickly she was uncertain what was going on, the sound of shattering wood filled her head and she made a grab at one of the tables as the ship seemed to fall in half.

Water gushed over her taking her breath away and sweeping her from her feet.

Unsure of how it happened, the next thing she knew she was being thrown onto dry land along with the shattered remains of the table.

She lay for a short time, at first coughing up water, then trying to gather lost strength.

When she had gathered her wits about her, realising just what her position was, she checked her things to make sure all was intact.

Her grandmothers book was undamaged, and she was pleased that she had wrapped it in oilskin before setting out.
The rest of her things were unscathed too, so she looked about her.

Dess was about to reply to the other womans comment, but before she could the ship started to creak and complain a few seconds later the ship split apart. Dess took one last gulp of air and grabbed at one of the split timbers before kicking to the surface. Once she was able to breath again she leaned her head against the log as it slowly drifted towards the island. Once the water was shallow enough she wadded to the beach and walked to the grass line before flopping down to rest.

well this trip just got much more interesting

Raibert handed the sack over. "Ten gold coins and free stay in exchange for the meat and the service." As Raibert entered, he was assaulted by the smell of food cooking. It wasn't too motley a group. There were always that few that sized everybody up when he or she would enter, a practice to see if it would be worth robbing them. A glance at the way he gripped his staff told them that he was a magic user. That was all that they needed, or wanted, to know.

Raibert

The innkeeper looked out at the clouds and swore. Normally he'd like to haggle, but the trouble at the marketplace made his supply run a lot lighter than he wished.

"Done" he said grudingly

Inside the other patrons glanced over at the stranger. their moods pensive as they prepared to wait out the storm.

"Normally I'd charge for the common room, but for the deer... I'll give you free access to our loot bin." He motioned Raibert into his office where a large chest filled with various equiptment and clothing lay. "sometimes customers are unable... or unwilling to pay... so we *grin* work a deal or two out. Take three items and I'll see to your meal.

He proceeded to drag the deer off into the kitchen, where his wife's shoutings became a little more pleasant when she's presented with the fresh meat. [TG me as to which three Items you'll take.]

The Others on the Island

the Storm wall is about 30 mins or so away from the island. the winds at their pace now, indicates that staying outside isn't an option...

The squall that the storm had been about to sail into was now heading towards the island. Xhar struggeled his way to his feet and ran a hand over his forehead above his eye. There was a fairly deep cut just above his left eyebrow.

Fantastic. I wonder if anyone else made it.

A little way down the beach he saw a very small girl pulling a body out of the surf. Xhar smirked inspite of himself.

Merc trash.

A few others stumbled their way out of the water; it looked like the other two girls from the galley. But the elf was still absent.

Great. The one person who can probably stitch this up doesn't make it.

He looked down at the key clutched in his right hand. Some movement out in the shallows caught his eye. It looked like a clump of rope from the boat. But there was something else. He caught sight of the top of a head and a flash of a pointed ear.

Two good deeds in one day. There had better be an extra virgin waiting for me for this...

Xhar dropped his spear and pack, kicked off his remaining boot and started out towards the floating ropes. A distant crack of thunder caused him to utter another short prayer as he swam. He grabbed a piece of drift wood out of the surf as he stopped by the ropes. The girl was face up and looked like she was still breating. A little good luck, finally. Xhar slid the pieve of drift wood under the girl's torso and started untangling the ropes.

Dess stood and watched the grass ripple slightly as a light wind moved across the Island, she smiled slightly as her gaze moved to the small hill that occupied the center of the Island. After a quick glance around and deciding that no one would miss her for the time being she turned her back to the beach and broke into a brisk jog. It was not a long run but by the time Dess reached the hill she as glad to stop and walk.

Oh? what is this?

She stopped walking, suddenly pulled from her train of thought, and looked at the door before her. It was made of stone, warn with age and was set back into the hill; as she looked more closely at it she realized it was a door.
After about five minutes for pulling, begging and a muttered prayer or two the door creaked open. Dess grinned exhausted and let out what could best be described as a loud chirp. Cautiously she took a few steps into the darkness, she stopped as soon as she felt the steps under her feet.

Well Dess, you have no light and theres no telling what is down there, best go back and tell the others

Dess spent a moment in the darkness contemplating her choices before turning and walking back out into the light. After carefully committing her bearings to her mind Dess took a deep breath and slowly jogged back to the beach. Once there she sat in the sand to catch her breath.
"There...there is a door...in the hill," she said to no one in particular.

Distantly, she was aware of two sensations. The first was cold. The second seemed more like a pair of hands. Her head was swimming, but somehow she mustered the strength to fight back to consciousness. At first, she could not fully comprehend her situation. She was in the water, yet she was unable to move. There was a tattooed man nearby, and he seemed to be the cause of her predicament. She jerked away reflexively, and quickly became aware that the cause of her paralysis wasn't the man, but a tangle of rope all about her. In a flash, the memory of how she got there returned. Coming to her senses, she reached for the dagger at her waist and cut herself free of the remaining stays.

As another peal of thunder shook the heavens, the urgency of the situation became apparant. She could feel the pull of the current getting stronger as the storm approached. Kicking free of the debris, she swam beside the tattooed stranger toward the beach. It wasn't until she dragged herself on shore that she was able to begin gathering her wits. Coughing from the chill and the submersion, she glanced over to the tattooed man and mouthed a silent thank you.

Someone else was talking about a door. Doors usually meant shelter, and they would be in great need of that very soon.

"If there's a door, than let's get the hell inside."

With the icy winds scything through his garments and Yumi's shivering was enought to get Inanis moving in a productive manner again. Picking up Yumi, he made his way behind a driftwood log to get out of the worst of the wind so that he could think. Resting in the lee Sors looked up at the island in front of them.

Somewhere further along the beach it appeared there were people gathered which meant that there were either survivors or islanders and thus likely to lend a hand. Running a hand through his hair to shed some of the excess water, he scooped up Yumi, Inanis stood to get some more use out of his height.

It soon became appearent that they were also survivors and he headed over. "A door? Where's a door?"

"Did one of you mention a door?" He asked in a slightly harsh voice. In addition to the smell of salt water they all sported, coming from him was the faint smell that he'd been sitting before a smokey fire.

The girl awoke and freed herself. That made Xhar's job considerably easier. They swa back to the island and as soon as he was back on shore he again layed out in the sand on his back, both to catch his breath and to try to push the pain of the salt water in his open wound. The rip-tide had pulled them down the beach a ways. He could still see his pack, but it was a good way off. He was now on the beach near where one of the girls had come in out of the water. Apparently it was the strange girl, as that was who's voice Xhar heard. He opened his good eye and looked towars the voice. The other's seemed to covering the curious angle, so Xhar contented himself to lay in the sand and recouperate.

Sybilla became more aware of what was happening about her.

The girl who she had spoken to briefly just before the ship broke up was saying something about a door.

There was another tell man who seemed to emanate a smokey smell, and when she looked at him again, she noticed a small girl was being carried on his back.

The man who she had landed beside when she fell down the stairs was just coming out of the sea along with the Elf-girl.

Then she became aware that there was a wind kicking up, the waves much more violent now than they had been, and the sky out over the sea was an ominous looking blackish-yellow.

"If there is a door somewhere, we had best be going to it before that storm hits us for real."

She stood and made ready to run along with the others.

Rhia's adrenaline was starting to wear off, and the aches of her ordeal were setting in. It was now or never if she was going to get anywhere, and these damn humans were standing around wasting valuable time. What was it the girl said? A door in the hill? Rhia could see only one hill on this entire damned island, and with a determined glance to the others, dashed off.

It didn't take long for her to find the door. Something about it.. it was almost as if she were drawn to it... The stone was old, ancient. It looked heavy, but Rhia found it remarkably easy for her to open. The whole thing smelled faintly of elven magic, and it made her uneasy. But with the storm threatening just outside, she was left with precious little option. Stepping into what ended up being a stariwell, her eyes adjusted quickly and naturally to the darkness there.

The Elven girl suddenly took to her heels and ran like the wind towards the hill.

"Come on everyone.
We need to get away from that lot."

Glad she had been one of the top runners in her school Sybilla followed, arriving just as the Elf passed through the doorway she slipped easily inside just behind her.

It was rather dark and she almost bumped into the Elf as she stood at the top of a stairway....there was nowhere else to go except down.

"Oh sorry, I didn't realise it would be so cramped in here.
Can you see what is down there?"

Dess stood sighed looking at the group, "lets go, we can make it be for the rain hits if we run."

She knew the elf would find the door by the time the rest of them arrived at the hill. Dess turned and broke in to a brisk jog, knowing that the others would follow she slipped to a run.
When she reached the door she stood out side letting the others go inside first.

The Elven girl suddenly took to her heels and ran like the wind towards the hill.

"Come on everyone.
We need to get away from that lot."

Glad she had been one of the top runners in her school Sybilla followed, arriving just as the Elf passed through the doorway she slipped easily inside just behind her.

It was rather dark and she almost bumped into the Elf as she stood at the top of a stairway....there was nowhere else to go except down.

"Oh sorry, I didn't realise it would be so cramped in here.
Can you see what is down there?"

A wave of contempt washed over her as the human spoke, but she remained in control of herself. Silently she peered down the stairs, then tested the steps fearlessly.

"Too far to see. It curves out of sight about 20 meters down."

As she descended slowly, her hand traced the stone wall for balance. There were etchings there. Ones that she half remembered yet could not place.

Inanis followed the two running girls, his the measured pace of military drill but also that of a tired man. Reaching the door he looked about for some signs of residency or occupancy before heading in, pulling up just short as he realized that thier wasn't more room in the entrance-cum-stairwell.

"Are either of you two going in? If no please come out so others who wish to enter can."

She sensed the disdain in the Elf-girls tone, but chose to ignore it.
About to follow her down the stairs, a male voice behind her made her jump.

"Yes, we are just going now."

Feeling rather hemmed in, with the Elf in front and the unknown man behind she made her way down slowly in the dark.

Xhar was bordering on the edge of unconciousness. He was vaguely aware of footsteps and voices. Then, both started getting more distant, untill the only thing that Xhar heard was the crashing of the waves. He managed to throw off blacking out for a moment and opened his eye again. Everyone was gone, and rain was starting to fall.

Damnit.

He rolled over on to his stomach and pushed his way back up to his feet. He stumbled back over to his pack. The spear wasn't to be found. He growled as a drop of rain fell right into his open wound. He descided the spear was expendable and started following the footprints off the beach. A little ways in he spotted the door and used his last bit of energy to sprint to it.

Inanis followed the two girls down the stairs as his eyes adjusted to the light, or lack thereof. With any luck, and if this were a residence of some kind, a store of firewood would be laid in. If they were really lucky, there would also be food that was edible.

A noise caused him to look up to see a man in the door way and while he didn't look like the owner, it was a possibility. In case he was and was hostile, Sors began considering the optimal solution considering he was at a disadvantage.

Xhar stepped through the doorway just as the rain really started pouring. Near as he could tell, he was the last one in, so he tried to shut the heavy door behind him. He got it most of the way done, but he started feeling faint again and descided that was good enough to shut out the elements. By that time his eyes had adjusted to the darkness and he turned to start down the stairs, only to be met by the merc standing and looking up at him.

I don't have time for this.

He started down the stairs and pressed past the man. If he wanted to keep standing that was his business, but Xhar did not favor passing out in a stairwell. Hopefully the stairway didn't run too deep.

Seeing who the man was and realizing that he was simply another ship-wrecked, he started to turn only to have the man brush passed. With a faint shrug that was expressive in its disdain but also careful not to disturbe the resting Yumi.

Again taking the rear, he followed the others into the bowls of the hill.

As she neared the bottom of the stairwell, the darkness seemed complete. Not that it hindered her, mind you. She found another door, this one adorned with ornate and detailed carvings. Rhia had absolutely no desire to figure out the intent behind any of them. Somehow she felt she was happier not knowing. Almost holding her breath, she opened the door. What lay beyond was something of a shock to the senses, and probably the least thing she expected. It was a room, plain and simple, and entirely green. And the first thing to catch her attention was the fireplace. She was chilled to the bone, soaked, and sore, but managed to wait beside the door. No question, the other man who had entered the stairwell behind her and the human girl would rush in blindly. So be it. Let someone else run point.

The Elf-girl had opened a door and side-stepped so that although she was in the room beyond she was only just inside.

The press from the others behind her forced her to go further in.
It looked somehow cosy after all that had gone before, the chairs that stood by the fire almost inviting her to sit in them.

As she moved passed the Elf-girl towards a fully laden table she was stopped in her tracks by the sight of a metallic object which seemed to be following a predestined path around and around.

She looked towards the uncommunicative Elf-girl then from her to the man with the bloodied face.

"What kind of a place do you think this is, and do you think it would be safe to eat some of that fruit?
I haven't eaten since yesterday."

The man seemed about to fall into a faint so she rushed towards him and took his arm.

Raibert opened the chest up. He began to rummage around, and found a rather nice cloak, made of thick leather. This he pulled out, and set on the edge of the bin. Then he was able to find a hat, decent enough to keep the rain and sun off of him. As he continued to rummage, he heard a small tink right next to his hand. Moving carefully, he uncovered a ring. For some strange reason, it attracted him.

He thumbed it into his palm, and wondered briefly if he should take it. Then he remembered, he did need a new dagger. He found one, within its own strapped scabbard. Careful to move slowly, he put a chameleon spell upon the ring. It blended to his palm, and as he turned, he met the innkeeper heading towards him.

"I have made my selection. I won't need the gold for these items." He offered his hat over with his free hand, and then the coat, before taking the dagger out of its scabbard, with the blade resting on his open palm, covering the ring, while the strap and scabbard were held upside down. "Is that sufficient?"

The innkeeper looked through the cloak carefully to check for anything hidden, and finding nothing, nodded his assent. "Aye, then our bargain is struck. He handed the cloak and hat back to Raibert, who put them on, stowing the ring inside a pocket as he slid on the outer garment. This done, they shook, and Raibert went off to wait for his meal. As he sat, he pulled out the ring, and slipped it on.

Xhar made it through the door at the foot of the staris, but not much farther.
He vaguely recognised the elf and the girls as he stumbled in, but he'd stayed conscious as long as he could. He sprawled out on the foor off to the right and passed out. His pack rolled out of his grip and the bow slid out of the pack, along with a few stray arrows.

As she took hold of his arm he fell to the floor, his belongings scattering around them.
He was far too heavy for her to move and she looked around at the others.

"Help me please."

She took her water-skin and tried to get him to take a sip of water.

Dess followed the others down the steps she lagged behind slightly trailing her hand lightly over the lightly damp wall. Every few feet her fingers slid over a small carving of some sort, slightly puzzled as to their meaning she continued down promising herself that if she could find a light of some sort she would come back for a closer look.

Inanis arrived in time to see the man, an arrogant ass who resembled his former superior, collapse with a thud. He was about to ignore the girl's request to aid the man when she asked for help when Yumi shifted. Knowing that she'd aid the man, he crouched down to help shift the man so the girl could give him water.

She had watched the scene with obvious disdain, and when she spoke, it was soft and controlled.

"Have you never seen injury before?"

Stepping fully inside the room, she picked up one of his spilt arrows and examined the craftsmanship of it. Rhia had no desire to involve herself with any of their affairs, but the man had saved her before. She owed a return on the favor if nothing else.

"Water won't help. Make yourself useful. See if there are any medicines or herbs in here. And see if you can find me a bone from anything. Not chicken, though."

She shooed the woman and girl away, then knelt cautiously beside him. The cut above his eye was long, but not terribly deep. All head wounds bled profusely, but his seemed to be slowing somewhat. He'd still need a hemostatic of some sort if she could manage that.

As the elf moved in to the room Dess was able to see what was going on and she pulled herself from her thoughts in time to hear the elf asking for some herbs. She reached into the pocket of her dress and smiled slightly as her hand closed over the small parcel. She pulled it out of her dress, after unwrapping it Dess moved from the hall way to the room and held it out to the woman.

"Here, they got a little salt water on them but they should still be good, your welcome to what ever you need"

On the thick sheet of oiled paper lay several small bundles of various herbs and a vile of oil, a small thin needle was stuck through the top corner of the paper.

The Elf-girl shooed her away as though she were some kind of pest, with the request to find herbs and a bone.
She was in the process of putting her water skin away ready to start her search, when the girl she had spoken briefly to on the ship handed over the very items the elf needed, so feeling somewhat put out she wandered around the room examining the paintings on the walls.
They were all of landscapes, but not the beautiful kind they had back in the village.
These were of barren wildernesses and although they were done by master artists, they somehow made her feel very depressed and she turned her back on them.

She accepted the items, pleased to note that the woman had a needle. She hadn't quite been looking forward to crafting one from bone like some stone-age healer. Plucking a long line of thread from the bottom edge of her tunic, she threaded the needle, sanitized both instrument and wound as best she could with water, and set to work.

"If you want to help.. see if there's a bowl of some sort and a rock. I doubt this place is stocked with a mortar and pestle. These herbs need to be crushed up."

She outlined the quantity and type to crush together and carefully continued her stitching.

"Hope he doesn't wake up.. not likely to react favorably to all this."

Dess nodded and stepped away looking around the room, the table with the decanters of different liquids,presumably drinks, caught her eye. She walked over carefully side steeping the mechanical object scuttling along the floor. after picking up a few of the bottles she found one with a flat bottom.

well I think this is as much of a mortar and pestle as this place has got.

She carefully cleared off the paper and then replaced the herbs that she needed onto it and then crushed them as best she could with the bottle, which much to her relief did quite a nice job. Careful not to spill she carried them back to the elf.

She finished up her stitching and with a flick of her dagger, cut the remaining thread. She rummaged around the bar for a glass and returned to the man's side. The woman had done an admirable job of her work. Rhia carefully poured the near-powder into the glass, then added a little bit water, stirring the concoction with her blade. It was as close to the real recipe as she could get. Once satisfied, she applied the lumpy paste to his cut. One of the herbs had analgesic properties, while another would act as a hemostatic. The others facilitated the healing process.

"He mustn't pick at that. I'm not making another batch."

The sight of the two girls tending the wounded man took her attention.
It was almost as though she were made to watch by some ghoulish desire that she didn't quite understand.
When the wound was stitched and the herbal paste had been applied, her attention was taken by the tattoos on the wounded man.
The symbols were fascinating to the point she could not take her eyes away.
Some of them even looked familiar.

Inanis stepped back when the woman fussed in to take care of the unconsious man. Taking a seat against the wall, he quickly fell asleep as the exertions and stresses made themselves known.

Inanis stepped back when the woman fussed in to take care of the unconsious man. Taking a seat against the wall, he quickly fell asleep as the exertions and stresses made themselves known.

The little metallic thing wandered around the room... it pauses each time it's path leads it to one of the people who came it. it seems to wait for something, then turns and moves around the object (if the person didn't move out of it's way) or continues on (if the person did move out of the way) completely oblivious to the newcomers.

however...

During the dressing of Xhar's wounds, the sounds of wood splintering can be heard. the round, metallic football item has moved towards some of the loose arrows and is grinding one to a fine powder. then after a moment later, the powder itself vanishes under the device. it moves and 'stands' next to Xhar's booted foot, but pauses, then moves away... it then moves to the next arrow and stands over it for a moment. then it repeats the process of grinding it and absorbing the wood dust.

After the last person enters the room, the door stays open for a moment then closes as if a strong gust pushed it shut.

"I have made my selection. I won't need the gold for these items." He offered his hat over with his free hand, and then the coat, before taking the dagger out o its scabbard, with the blade resting on hi open palm, covering the ring, while the strap and scabbard were held upside down. "Is that sufficient?"

The innkeeper looked through the cloak carefully to check for anything hidden, and finding nothing, nodded his assent. "Aye, then our bargain is struck. He handed the cloak and hat back to Raibert, who put them on, stowing the ring inside a pocket as he slid on the outer garment. This done, they shook, and Raibert went off to wait for his meal. As he sat, he pulled out the ring, and slipped it on. during the supper meal, the walls of the tavern shook as the winds picked up. the storm is nearing.

suddenly a door burst open and a portly man staggers in. he looks frantic and scans the crowd for a familiar face.
"Estralee! are you here?"

The innkeepr moves towards the frantic newcommer.

"Your honor... what are you doing here? please have a seat, and wait out the storm."

"No time... my daughter is missing... have you seen her?"

"No your honor. perhaps someone here..." The innkeeper turns to those in the common room. "Has anyone seen a young woman... she has golden hair, about yea high (measures about 5 ft 6 in.) Brown eyes..."

The frightened man moves forward. "She was wearing a plain dress and may have been carrying a basket of bread... please, I'll reward anyone who seen anything..."

Inanis was on his feet in seconds as the strange metallic device appeared trundling about and dispossing of arrows. Holding Yumi he drew his sword and pointed it at the device ready to do destructive things if it turned out to do anything even vaguely threatening.

Looking at the others for a second he asked, "Does anyone know what the heck that is, what it's function is and any reason why it's here?"

While awaiting an answer, he watched and examined it for any sign of wheels or something that he could use to turtle it.

The sound of the metallic thing grinding the arrows to dust had put her nerves on edge and the mans voice somehow added a little reality to their situation.

"I've never seen anything like it before, but it sure gives me the creeps."

She answered him but kept her eyes on the object as it seemed to stop beside her feet, waiting, for the second time before carrying on it's way.

Rhia wasn't so much disturbed by the metallic... thing... as annoyed by it. The little nuisance was destroying perfectly good arrows. As it tottered to another, she snatched it up the arrow quickly, and backhanded the device away. She then set about collecting the rest of the fallen arrows to supplement what was left in her own quiver. When her patient awoke, they'd iron out the details then.

Xhar starts to feel alot better after a couple of minutes...

Rhia wasn't so much disturbed by the metallic... thing... as annoyed by it. The little nuisance was destroying perfectly good arrows. As it tottered to another, she snatched it up the arrow quickly, and backhanded the device away. She then set about collecting the rest of the fallen arrows to supplement what was left in her own quiver. When her patient awoke, they'd iron out the details then. there is a solid "thunk" as Rhia's hand stings from hitting a solid peice of metal. the device stops... seems to pause as if in puzzelment then moves away from the rest of the arrows and continues it's wandering around the floor. except now, every so often, it would stop... do it's little bob down and up on the carpet where there is nothing visible, then wander away.

Xhar groaned slightly and rolled over onto his stomach. He opened his eyes and found he could see in both eyes again. Also the trobbing pain from the gash on his head was now replaced with a subtle . He did his best to resist the urge to scratch. He pushed off the ground and up into a kneeling possition and took stock of the surroundings. The room he was in was small, but not cramped. The others from the beach where there and they seemed distracted by something. A glint caught his eye, and he saw a metalic orb-ish looking thing migrating around the room. He quirked the brow over the eye that was undamaged and got up to his feet.

Truth be told, she hadn't expected the blow to be that solid, and now shook her hand gingerly as the thing teetered off. It wasn't long before her patient stirred, and she eyed him appraisingly. His recovery was more advanced than it should have been for a human..

Against his better judgment, Xhar gingerly poked at his wound. There was some sort of paste convering it. He pulled his finger away and smeared the small bit of paste between his fingers.

An herbal remedy. Not what I would have expected, but it seems to be working.

The elf was giving him a strange look. Xhar furrowed his brows.

"How long was I out?"

She glowered slightly as he poked at the dressing, and was half tempted to scold him against messing with it, but decided to leave it well alone. Her hand was still stinging, but the pain was beginning to fade.

"Not too long... 40 minutes maybe."

Deciding to turtle the device, he walked over and crouched down beside it as he tried to figure out how much clearence it had, beside the area it used to demolish weaponry. As he was looking, Yumi awoke and looked about as the strange surroundings before asking her porter, "Ina-chan, where are we?"
"In a dwelling of sorts in a hill on an island."
"Who are they?" She added pointing at the others.
"Besides other ship-wreckees, not entirely sure." He replied before looking about and asking, "Who are all of you?"

Now Xhar understood the strange look. There was no way that his wound could have healed that quickly. Even with stiitches or cauterization there would still be pain. He begain to look fairly confused himself. But he descided to put it from his mind. He started looking around the room for his things. His bag was on the floor. He stooped over and grabbed it. It was a few arrows light, but he had expected it might be. He hadn't exactly been in the best mind on his way here. Besides, arrows are expendable. He'd make more later.

She took up a cross-legged position on the floor, eyeing the other man silently despite his question. It was only after grudging hesitation that she answered at all.

"My name is Rhia."

She then unslung her own bow and quiver, examining them for water damage. The bow had survived, probably due to the tautness of the string, but her arrows were soggy and becoming warped. Not much she could do about that. Noting her patient's movements she spoke again without really drawing her attention from her checks.

"The stitching is cloth, so it'll need to come out eventually. And if you're looking for your arrows, I rescued a few. That thing over there was crushing them to fine powder."

The sound of the arrow striking the metallic object seemed to penetrate the injured mans subconscious, as he groaned and sat up.

The other man seemed about to attack the thing again, when the small girl on his back demanded to know who every one was.

Sybilla was also curious as to who she had been thrown in this predicament with and stood quietly to one side, hoping to hear about her companions.

Xhar shrugged and set his bag on the table.

"Keep them. I can only imagine that your's where water-logged."

Xhar looked back down at the contraption that was roaming the floor.

"What is it?"

Her attention turned to the metallic object once more.

"Couldn't tell you. But whatever it is, it's solid. I didn't get a good look at the storm.. how long do you think we're stuck here?"

Her voice was not without a touch of annoyance. The humans were one thing, but she had places she needed to be. Places it would be much harder to reach given their new lack of transportation. She scanned the room quietly, noting a few of the apparant doors.

"I'd say an hour or two. Minimum."

It didn't look like the rest of the company was in any hurry to give their names. No big. Xhar had nothing to hide.

"My name is Xhar."

She sighed and closed her eyes. It was a form of meditation, but she was really just sorting out her options. Despite the strange feeling this place gave her, she was half tempted to take her chances with one of those doors. But for now, she turned inward in the custom of her race.

ooc: I'm out folks. Bedtime. Vaga, luv, please don't forget about the other thread. :fluffle: for all.

Deciding to turtle the device, he walked over and crouched down beside it as he tried to figure out how much clearence it had, beside the area it used to demolish weaponry.The device waddles up and pauses a couple inches from your face. it waits, then moves around and continues it meanderings. Gestimate a couple of inches.

The Elf had called herself Rhia and from the impatient looks she was throwing around, it was the fault of all and sundry that they were here at all.

Xhar seemed much more at ease with the surroundings.

"I'm called Sybilla."

ooc : ;) no worries. just didnt want it to progress too quick. just in case one of the others wanted to make an entrance.

Yumi waved at Xhar and Rhia when they introduced themselves before introducing herself. "I'm Yumi."

"Inanis." He added as he continued to keep an eye on the roving hunk of metal that ate things. As it came close to him and he could see a bit of clearence he decided to see if there was something he could use to flip the device.

She waved back at Yumi with a smile.

So far the only one who seems the slightest bit friendly.

It looked as though Inanis was about to do something to the plodding ball thing so Sybilla jumped backwards pretty quick.

I'm sure that thing is not going to allow itself to be poked around too much.

Inanis realized that the whatever-it-was seemed to ignore the carpetting when it went around eating things that happened to have been left on the floor, much like those herbal leaves from that medicine that was used on Xhar. Taking his knife, which was usually used on dinner, he began slicing a moderately long and decently wide strip out of the carpet.

With any luck and if the thing truely ignored carpetting, he'd be able to set a trap for it and then flip it over. Laying the strip out in the path of the device he waited for it to cross over the strip so he could grab both sides, flip the stuff-eating device and examin its bottom side.

It was only after Rhia had reached her meditative state that she realized how easy it had been to accomplish. Usually, she had to work at clearing her mind and tuning out background noise. Here, it was almost instantaneous. The silence almost had a weight to it... The only sound she could not block was the incessant pattering of that damnable object.

Inanis realized that the whatever-it-was seemed to ignore the carpetting when it went around eating things that happened to have been left on the floor, much like those herbal leaves from that medicine that was used on Xhar. Taking his knife, which was usually used on dinner, he began slicing a moderately long and decently wide strip out of the carpet.

With any luck and if the thing truely ignored carpetting, he'd be able to set a trap for it and then flip it over. Laying the strip out in the path of the device he waited for it to cross over the strip so he could grab both sides, flip the stuff-eating device and examin its bottom side.as the thing stepped on the cut carpet, it stopped. if it had eyes, one could imagine it examing the strip of carpeting. At that point, Inanis gave it a tug... and found the device to be rather... heavy. very, very heavy.

at the tug, the device stepped off of the strip and continued on.

when it encountered the part of the carpeting that was removed, it seemed to again, examine the hole then it stepped onto the bare floor and proceeds to remove the dirt and grime that was safely hidden, but is now exposed to the device.

"What is this thing." Inanis growled as it resisted his effort to move it, something hard done than said as he wasn't exactly a slouch in the muscles department. "It weighs a freakin ton."

The thing stopped on the patch of bare ground and seemed to be busy fiddling about. With any luck it'd get stuck Inanis thought with a trace of vindictiveness at the heavy something.

"It's the oddest thing I've ever seen."

She picked up a small handful of grapes from the table and popped one or two of them into her mouth, then crouching down beside the thing, lay the rest on the floor in front of it.

"Let's see what it does with those."

"It's the oddest thing I've ever seen."

She picked up a small handful of grapes from the table and popped one or two of them into her mouth, then crouching down beside the thing, lay the rest on the floor in front of it.

"Let's see what it does with those."

After plodding around within the cut area of the carpet, the device continued its wandering around the room. when the grapes were put infront of it, it paused. then moved over them and waited.

after a moment, it bobbed and the grapes desolved into a fine powder, it bobbed again and the small piles of powder vanished. it then continued it's wandering.

Xhar had had enough of sitting around watching the... whatever it was roam around. He descided to poke around the room. The little apartment didn't leave much to the imagination, but there where several doors. Bedrooms perhaps. Xhar crossed over to the door opposite of the mirror and stood flat against the wall next to it. He took hold of the door knob, turned it and flung the door open.

Hmm...it seems as though it removes all the moisture first, then removes the remains.

She was so engrossed watching the actions of the object, that when the door flew open the sound took her off balance.

Thinking that someone else was coming through to join them, she spun around only to find that it was Xhar who had opened it.

Xhar had had enough of sitting around watching the... whatever it was roam around. He descided to poke around the room. The little apartment didn't leave much to the imagination, but there where several doors. Bedrooms perhaps. Xhar crossed over to the door opposite of the mirror and stood flat against the wall next to it. He took hold of the door knob, turned it and flung the door open.
Xhar goes to the door everyone entered, and he flings it open... and is shocked to see, not the stairwell leading up to the surface, but another room. from the vantage point of the living area... a rather sizable room.

a foul odor waifs into the living area...

Catching the scent of the foul scent, Yumi scrunched up her nose while Inanis scowled. He was peeved by the thing and the reeking foulness wasn't helping his mood any. It smelled slightly like the medicals tents from his army days, tents that bore the scent of death, rot and despair.

"Shut that door. You're letting in something rotten." He growled from his sitting position.

Holding her hand over her nose to try and cover the foul stench she left the metallic object to it's own devices.

"Doesn't it strike you as odd that we came in through that door, and it wasn't like that then.
Should someone take a look....maybe we should all go....not split up at all?"

Her glance went from one to the other, trying to read each of them and failing dismally.

Xhar didn't mind the smell. Having done some of the things he had, smell no longer bothered him. He did take note of it though. Could be important. Either way, Xhar hadn't opend the door just to look through it. He poked his head inside the doorway to make sure it was clear, then stepped of the wall and wandered into the room.

Xhar didn't mind the smell. Having done some of the things he had, smell no longer bothered him. He did take note of it though. Could be important. Either way, Xhar hadn't opend the door just to look through it. He poked his head inside the doorway to make sure it was clear, then stepped of the wall and wandered into the room.
This L-shaped room has light gray walls and a deep, comfortable floor covering. There are black openings in four of the walls. In one corner of the room a giant pile of furniture about 6 ft high and seperates the short branch of the "L" shape. the furniture is carefully arrained and forms a wall. The floor covering shows signs that heavy objects have been dragged across it. In some places, are dark stains that may be blood. the foul order permiates the room.

the Device ambles to the doorway... stops at the door frame and turns around to continue it's little circuit.

The frightened man moves forward. "She was wearing a plain dress and may have been carrying a basket of bread... please, I'll reward anyone who seen anything..."

Raibert stood as the man finished his pleas. Reviving the color change to conceal his new ring, he walked up to the man calmly yet purposefully. "My lord, please, hysteria and fright are the enemies of thought and reason. Now, I might be able to help you. My name is Raibert MacGreydon, son of Seamus MacGreydon, one of the Greyrobes. I might be able to help you. Now, do you have any personal items of your daughter, either with you or at your home, something that she uses on a daily or constant basis?"

The frightened man moves forward. "She was wearing a plain dress and may have been carrying a basket of bread... please, I'll reward anyone who seen anything..."

Raibert stood as the man finished his pleas. Reviving the color change to conceal his new ring, he walked up to the man calmly yet purposefully. "My lord, please, hysteria and fright are the enemies of thought and reason. Now, I might be able to help you. My name is Raibert MacGreydon, son of Seamus MacGreydon, one of the Greyrobes. I might be able to help you. Now, do you have any personal items of your daughter, either with you or at your home, something that she uses on a daily or constant basis?"
yes... at home... her brush...

*he sends his assistant who was following behind him off to fetch the item.*

ooc: Tg being sent.

Xhar did a perimeter sweep of the room, walkind along the walls. He stopped at each black opening and examined them for a moment, then contenued on his way. Eventually he concluded that the room was secure enough and he wandered towards the pile of furnature. He stopped a few steps short of touching the furnature pile.

What possible purpose could this serve?

Xhar did a perimeter sweep of the room, walkind along the walls. He stopped at each black opening and examined them for a moment, then contenued on his way. Eventually he concluded that the room was secure enough and he wandered towards the pile of furnature. He stopped a few steps short of touching the furnature pile.

What possible purpose could this serve?

OoC: sorry for the delay...

*As Xhar came close to the pile, movement could be herd behind it. suddenly a crude spear flies out and lands near his feet... followed by 3 more. *

Immediatly after the first spear flew out, Xhar jumped back a few feet and landed in a stalking stance. He slowly reached for the one of the spears, grasped hold of it, then withdrew it just a slowly. Then he started straffing slowly around the pile, trying to catch sight of whatever had thrown the spears out.

Immediatly after the first spear flew out, Xhar jumped back a few feet and landed in a stalking stance. He slowly reached for the one of the spears, grasped hold of it, then withdrew it just a slowly. Then he started straffing slowly around the pile, trying to catch sight of whatever had thrown the spears out.
several small heads could be seen peeking out over the barricade.... Hobgoblins... and it sounds like a lot of em.

Three look over the 'wall' they hold crude spears and smile cruelly as they only see you.

Xhar cocked his head to the side a little and his brows furrowed.

What strange little creatures.

He stopped pacing and stood his ground in front of the creatures. He locked eyes with one. Time to see if they where intellegent or not. Most 'dumber' creatures could be hypnotized, to some extent, by someone of strong will. Either the creature would throw its spear at him or it would fall into a sort of trance.

Sybilla watched as Xhar passed through the doorway and into the room beyond.
She waited for what seemed like a half-lifetime for one of the others to follow him, but as no one else appeared to be concerned over his fate, she warily stepped towards the opening.

The sound of something hitting the floor came from within, followed shortly by the sound of something chattering in a strange tongue.

"What is it Xhar....?"

She spoke in a stage whisper as she moved in closer to where he was standing in front of a pile of old furniture, a spear in his hand with two more on the floor.

A face had appeared over the top of the pile, then a couple more.
She stooped and picked up one of the other two spears, not taking her eyes from the cruel little beings.

"What the hell are those things?"

She changed her grip on the spear, holding it as one might hold a rifle equipped with a bayonet...ready to jab at anything that might come too close.

Inanis heard the clatter of spears and since the man hadn't been carrying any, nor had he cried out, it prompted him to stand. Yumi taking the opportunity to climb up into her perch gestured imperiously and he headed out to find out what was happening.

Spotting a face, he paused as it was of a familiar type but not immediately recognisable.

Xhar cocked his head to the side a little and his brows furrowed.

What strange little creatures.

He stopped pacing and stood his ground in front of the creatures. He locked eyes with one. Time to see if they where intellegent or not. Most 'dumber' creatures could be hypnotized, to some extent, by someone of strong will. Either the creature would throw its spear at him or it would fall into a sort of trance.
one of the misshapen figures pauses... then his eyes seem to glaze over as something could be heard clattering to the ground. the others, seem to notice this and there is a 'thwack' and the tranced goblinoid jerked awake. he growled something and the others seem to avoid looking directly at you.
Sybilla watched as Xhar passed through the doorway and into the room beyond.
She waited for what seemed like a half-lifetime for one of the others to follow him, but as no one else appeared to be concerned over his fate, she warily stepped towards the opening.

The sound of something hitting the floor came from within, followed shortly by the sound of something chattering in a strange tongue.

"What is it Xhar....?"

She spoke in a stage whisper as she moved in closer to where he was standing in front of a pile of old furniture, a spear in his hand with two more on the floor.

A face had appeared over the top of the pile, then a couple more.
She stooped and picked up one of the other two spears, not taking her eyes from the cruel little beings.

"What the hell are those things?"

She changed her grip on the spear, holding it as one might hold a rifle equipped with a bayonet...ready to jab at anything that might come too close.

Inanis heard the clatter of spears and since the man hadn't been carrying any, nor had he cried out, it prompted him to stand. Yumi taking the opportunity to climb up into her perch gestured imperiously and he headed out to find out what was happening.

Spotting a face, he paused as it was of a familiar type but not immediately recognisable.

with the appearance of more foes, there is some hushed gutteral talking... two more heads pop up and duck back down. they seem to be waiting for the next move.

Alright, semi-intellegent. At least when their in groups. That's a start at least.

Before Xhar could descide on his next move, one of the girls wandered into the room and started making noise, which prompted another round of creatures to poke their heads out, then disappear again. He spoke in a hushed, but firm tone.

"No sudden moves girl."

Xhar motioned for the girl to step back. Slowly. Then he did so himself. Small or not, the creatures had numbers and familiarity on thier side. This wasn't a fight he was willing to take on. Yet.

Noting the urgent tone in his voice, she silently and slowly took several steps backwards which meant that she could no longer see the ugly little creatures, although she could hear them talking.
The sound did not inspire confidence that their meeting was going to be a peaceful one.

Inanis also took a step back as he let his hand drift to his sword, just in case. Meanwhile he was trying to place the beasties. They looked fairly similar to gobos but were different enought that he couldn't just consider them those annoyingly vile little beasties.

Raibert held the brush, and removed from it two golden hairs. He wrapped them around his left hand, and muttered under his breath "Estralee, I seek thee. Estralee, I seek thee. Estralee, I seek thee. Thrice thine name I beckon and done. Let now thine trail guide my feet, to find you where thou hast gone."

A pull suddenly tugged at Raibert's hand, a sense of going forward, to an alley, before it turned. "Come my lord Mayor, we have little time." An image of the girl, a young maid he had seen before the storm hit, pressed itself into his mind. "I know her, we must be off." And Raibert set off, pursuing the girl's trail into the cities alleys.

With a sudden motion, Rhai's eyes flicked open, her hard emerald gaze piercing into the dimness of the room. Xhar and the human female had wandered off, presumably into the open door a short distance from herself. She had a strange sensation of that room, something familiar yet uncertain. Curious and bored, she moved with feline grace to the threshold, crouching there in the doorway with folded arms, content to watch with vision unaffected by the darkness.

Once Xhar was content that he was well out of the range of the little hob-goblins, he stood errect again and started back towards the door. He was satisfied with his scouting of the room. The creatures didn't look to be in a hurry to get anywhere, so if all else fails he could come back. For now, there where other rooms to explore. He waited for the other would-be-scouters to exit the room, then he followed suit.

Sorry, but due to work projects being piled up and some unexpected... events (not bad, but good ones) I lost the time I need to give this thread the attention it needed. apologies to everyone.

however, I do have an RPG forum here (http://z6.invisionfree.com/Portals/index.php?act=idx) where P&P or any RPG that really doesn't quite fit here can be played.