Forums » General Roleplay » The Thirteenth Sea

Pelagia clutched the book closer. "N-no way. You're just going to destroy it or throw it off!" she cried, continuing to back up. Everyone, thankfully, seemed to be taking her side on this. She didn't feel relief just yet, but it did help her out a great deal in relaxing and feeling less like she was going to be done in by Desecra before she even got to see the Thirteenth Sea.

Sigh.

What a day.

And if it helped, Foy wasn't the only odd one out. Pelagia didn't have a violent bone in her body! She was a bit more cowardly than the tiny hobbit, too. That being said, she did have her merits, even if she wasn't sure what those could be herself.

Narla's touch caused her to stammer and wiggle away. "But--" she attempted to interject, though the Captain's appearance caused her to snap her jaw shut and grow silent. When he spoke up, she was a little confused. Did someone come tell him? Eh, probably. It wouldn't seem strange to her had someone done just that. As she was addressed, she stiffened and looked back down to the book. "It's... uhm, it's hard to describe. Looked like a land mass and... hm..." Her explanation was lacking, but she'd attempt to go on, sputtering forth little details and bits about what she saw before Desecra attempted to smash it.

She grew a little quiet when he announced his prayer. She was terribly concerned she fit in that category. "Thank you two for helping me," she finally said to Sylass and Foy. "I owe you both one."

Greyonji had begun to fidget with a marble sized piece of ice. He found it odd the captain knew that the book had made anything, not so much that he knew Desecra was going to destroy something. She hadn't been very quiet about it, so maybe he heard her? When he spoke of the weak of heart it made Grey wonder what he saw to make him say such, so he took a couple steps up he stairs and squinted trying to see what the captain did.

Sylass' hiss was not heard by Desecra over the sound of her heavy footfall. However, she heeded the voice of her Captain, questioning "Aye?" at the sound of her name, then giving a hesitant "Aye..." of obedience on his command. She would linger on deck when he made mention of "being close". The giantess leaned against the railing at the edge of the deck, causing the wood to groan quietly under her weight as she eyed him with curiosity. Any looks cast her way {unless it was he} would be met with a smoldering glare.

{super effective}

Sylass sure did keep a close eye to all that was happening. Though some of it he did not understand. Like why the ship suddenly stopped moving! What's the problem? Why not 'ride the waves' at night!? There was probably reason for it, but Sylass couldn't find it!

Pelagia's praise caught the Lizard's attention, but not for very long."Bah. Pelagia owe Sylass nothng. Was chosen for muscle, not smarts. Sylass barely scraped giant woman. Was like flea on pelt. Didn't do job well." He scoffed, mainly at himself. He had some rigorous training to do in order to feel better.

And as such, he was not planning on going to bed any time. Instead he rushed over to Bakir. All this important plot stuff was not his priority right now."Does ship have ladder? Sylass needs to be in water." He asked the man, not exactly patiently awaiting his answer.

EDIT: ((HIGH SCORE BABY))

Foy too wondered why the ship was slowing, having not headed down to the barracks herself as of yet. She was far too worked up to sleep at the moment.

The captain's warning filled her with unease, as she was fairly sure it applied at the very least to herself. Though she made a good show of bravado she knew well enough that her limitations were great in number. She squinted out into the distance with no small amount of foreboding, and tried to catch a glimpse of whatever it was the captain saw.

Bakir’s gaze was lingering upon his own reflection, upon the hiltless blade, before his gaze drifts upward, then towards the Captain’s form. His lips curl into a white-toothed smile, “As you wish, friend.” Bakir’s form pushes upwards, his legs stretching, and his right hand clasping its golden, gauntlet-covered hand about the hiltless blade, placing the flat of the blade against his shoulder. His left hand lifts upward, spreading its fingers outward, before closing them.

Narla’s amethyst gaze snaps towards Bakir’s hand, before her cloth covered feet carried her form towards Bakir. Her eyebrows furrow together, briefly, before her cloth covered feet carried her form towards the side of the ship, her amethyst eyes drifting towards the water below, before snapping in-between certain spots upon the water’s surface. Her form was a few feet from the giantess's.

Bakir’s gaze drifts towards the lizard called Sylass. His facial expression softens, before his left hand drifts upward, forming a fist, as he lightly pounds it upon the decorated, golden breastplate, a rattling rasp of a cough escaping his lips, “I’m certain we can find one. Go ahead, enjoy a swim.”

{Narla is a favored beast}

The share of words between his 'crew' was paid little mind to. There was an inner sense of caution welling from within him as to what it was that he had seen. Perhaps an illusion of the sun's setting glare? No. Those was the complete polar opposite as far as a desert to imbue a mirage to the bearer's eyes. Scoffing he'd come to, finally listening to what was being said, having missed out on quite a bit. Their questions on why the ship had come to a crawl were left unanswered. The stowed sails were not of his doing, despite being of capable means to bend the ship to his will through peculiar methods. A black mass had disappeared in the span his view was cast afar a second time. The sea held a fading glow to it with the exception of that one stream of gold that led from the eye of the beholder to the sun itself.

There was silence. The Captain did not move although his eyes were cast to the side. Listening. Only the waves washing against the boat's underside were all that were. At least until the ship had begun vibrating followed by a low hum. The vibrations started out subtly before becoming something all could acknowledge. Peering through the telescope once more. "They're here." They? Sure enough to those who had their vision strewn across the sea would begin to notice an irregularity in the sea's surface. There was something, or some things skimming just beneath the the black. The vibrations became vicious for but a moment then it ceased.

Something had been rubbing along the ship's hull.

Not long after the moment given to question what it was that caused their abnormality did one large beast rise from the waters. The creature at first only stared at the passengers before parting its massive maw to roar loudly in its fit. Rearing its head back it dove back into the sea but angling toward the ship. The boat once again shook strong from the impact. The Captain resumed to look at the sea's horizon through the telescope.. searching.. for what?

The ship's rocking went without pause at the creature tried to shake, bash and rattle the ship apart. During the assault to the ship by the one, several more; approximately five more serpents just like the first raised their heads. Making their presence known before four dove under the sea to assist the one, while the last remaining serpent of the five newcomers dove toward the ship's deck. The serpent made it from one side of the deck to the next shattering the railing. As its scaly length slid the rest of the way off the ship it wiggled from left to right violently hitting the mast and destroying what light and loose objects there were on the deck. It took a whole of eighteen seconds for the full length of this serpent to be off the ship, but not without having left its wake of destruction and weakening the ship's durable mast, having indented a portion resembling that of the creature's diameter. In addition to the creature's destructive path there were some scales that were left behind as well. Although unlike the Hydra's, these were lighter and more feeble, easier to break and penetrate.

Perhaps the crew has a fighting chance?

[Finding a Scale: Roll a 1D20. 10 or greater earns Modifier of +4 in next roll. 10 or less, did not find a scale, no Modifier gained]

{oops x:}

{1 of 2 rolls}

{Dang it /sigh
Sorry guys. Keep forgetting my rolls.}

Desecra did not seem to give the questionable mannerisms of the ship a second thought. Although she admittedly did not understand it, she'd grown accustomed to the captain's power of it, and she was not the sort to ask questions of her contract holder. It was his words- They're here- that quickly caught her attention. "Wassat, Capt'?" she grunted, unfolding her arms and moving away from the railing. The giantess at last became aware of the vibrations. She grew still, eyes narrowing, scanning about. Once they ceased, she slowly reached back and curled her fingers around her hammer. It was steadily brought to the ready.
Then the beast rose from the depths.

It stared at them, and she stared back, simply sighing "Shite."
When it's maw parted and the roar was released, she screamed back, though even her mighty cry was drowned by the beast's horrid sound. As it dove beneath the boat, she continued to shout and swear and run about.
She couldn't swim.
There was no diving in after it.
Her fit only intensified when more appeared only to join the first out of her view. But when the last rose its head, she shook her fist and raised her hammer, her accent so thick in her rage that it was difficult to tell if she was swearing or challenging it {or saying anything intelligible at all!}. She leapt in the air as it dove for them. Attempting to crouch upon its neck and wildly bash her weapon against its skull {her success depending on the the DM's favor}, she'd try to cling to the beast as long as able. Should she slip and fall to the deck, more garbled words[?] would be roared until the beast disappeared. Should she fall into the water, she would not resurface.
The goliath was far too wrapped up in her fury to pay any heed to scales lying about.

Narla’s hands placed themselves upon the railing of the ship, her form leaning forward, as her amethyst gaze squints against the sunlight. Narla’s hands place the bowstring across her front, underneath her left arm and over her right, before her amethyst gaze snaps towards the giantess, then towards the captain. Finally, her gaze snaps towards Bakir’s form, which was beginning to stretch upwards from his crouched position, his legs stretching outward, as his right gauntlet lifts the hiltless blade upward, resting it flatly upon his right shoulder.

Bakir’s gaze drifts towards Narla, his head nodding once, and Narla’s amethyst gaze snaps towards the water’s surface, before her cloth-covered feet back-peddle deftly, her right foot planting itself firmly the planks below, her right hand grasping the curve of the mahogany bow, her left arm lifting upwards, and grasping a normal arrow. Narla’s left hand places the arrow’s end upon the bowstring, pulling back.

As the beast appeared and flopped itself about, Narla’s breath is held, releasing it slowly, as her left hand releases the arrow towards the beast’s nearest eye. Bakir’s leather-strapped sandals push off of the wooden planks at a surprising speed, his right hand lifting the hiltless blade upwards and twisting its form to where the blade is brought down upon one of the beast’s scales, leaving the faintest cut visible. Bakir’s form steps back, and as the beast slithers off of the ship, Bakir’s left hand lifts upward, his gaze finding the marked scale, as his lips move silently.

Sea creatures! What in the hell? First the Hydra, now these things? Was the sea filled with monsters?! Sylass had no time to think of all those things. This serpent was a formidable foe, indeed! A challenge worthy of a Blackscale! Without any hesitation he drew his weapons.

"Bookreader best go inside!" He yelled at Pelagia. He did not know how well he could protect her, with these creatures being in the water. Chances were Sylass would have to be under the water for this. But as soon as he took a step, he stood on top of a scale, which he picked up.

The tiny brain in Sylass' was doing mathmatics. So if the scales came off this easily... Does this mean? Their natural armor was poop! Perfect! The Lizard almost seemed to grin as he crushed the scale in his palm. Sylass grinning? That only meant one thing: Beserker rage.

A red haze came before Sylass. The thought of these gigantic creatures having weak armor made him both happy and angry. Happy that these things are possibly going to go down pretty easily if he hits the right spots. Angry because this would mean it was less challenging. After a loud hiss he charged for the sea serpent.

As soon as he had sight of the sea serpent he jumped upwards, trying to latch on to its head. Should he succeeded, the Blackscale would wildly start smashing his mace onto the creature's head, wanting to see the scales splinter off of it. Should he fail, he'd simply jump after the creature once it's back down the water.

((Nat 20! Hell yes!))

Pelagia was incredibly shocked by what was happening. Things continuously got worse and worse and there wasn't much she could do about it. For a moment there, she stood in fear, staring wide-eyed at the creatures that surfaced from the water. Once the scales were flying, she actually saw one headed near her! Her arm was brought forward as quickly as she could manage in what, at first, was an act of protecting her head. Once it collided with her palm, her fingers grasped the scale.

Yep. She caught it. Because the dice gods are on her side tonight!

Her ears caught Sylass' voice as he called for her in his own way. She had no weapons to fight with, seeing as though the only things she held were the book and the scale. Go inside. Yes. At least then she could protect the book.

"Oh! Y-yes, of course!" she cried, then mumbled a bunch of apologies. The girl scampered awkwardly toward the barracks, seeking protection indoors in a hurry.

Despite her squinting into the distance, Foy was unable to determine anything of threat to the ship or it's odd assembly of crew. She was momentarily revealed, unfortunately that relief was to be short lived, as vibrations shook through the boat, as something big slid along the hull of the ship, knocking Foy around a bit, though thankfully not fully off balance. Having a low center of gravity, and a hand on the side rail had been beneficial in this instance at least.

She wasn't given much time to question just what was happening, as it would become frighteningly clear, as one of the sea monsters made itself present almost immediately afterwards. She could only stare back at it in terror, for the short moment before it made to bash the ship apart.

Foy clampered away from the rail as a few more of these horrifying creatures made themselves known, helping the other in trying to destroy the ship and most likely it's occupants. One such beast even arching over the ship, damaging the mast, and rail among other things. A scale fell next to Foy, and she reached out to pick it up. It was weak, which meant perhaps this beast was not as durable as it looked... only a small comfort to a target as small and mostly unarmed as Foy.

Foy too made her way for the door to the barracks, not intending to go inside, but to foolishly guard the book keeper inside. She could not swim, and had no experience with battle so she would be useless on deck, but perhaps her and her walking stick could deter one of these beasts momentarily, should one come her way.

[NPCing Greyonji.]

Greyonji took a swift leap back as to move out of the way from the incoming serpent. Seeing the scales fly and peal off from its surface brought him to the conclusion of just how flimsy their exterior defenses were. One of which landed at his feet. Picking up this one and examining it he had a new resolve about hopefully eliminating this threat. With little time to react to this opening in their assaulter's situation of slithering across the deck he took to make use of some of his innate capabilities. Rushing over to the same side the serpent was escaping into the sea with he moved both hands from one side to the next with a slight angle in between. This was a slow action as though he felt the weight of how much mana it was that was in use to form what was to be the result. Just behind their goliath and lizard companion formed an archway over the serpent with intent on trapping it.

[Will remove Greyonji temporarily with the upcoming post.]

Grabbing onto one of these beasts was like grabbing onto some extra skin. The ridges in the scales were like grips to cling to. Both Kildra's and Sylass' grabbing offensive maneuvers were a great success on the beast just as Narla's and Bakir's standalone attacks were. Each strike inflicted left its impression. The breaking sounds of bone and scales being crushed just the same. An arrow punctured into its left eye and a fair gash left open for the creature's blood to pour forth. Greyonji's though, was not so much the same. By the arch being used to try and pinch down the thrashing beast it was more like pulling off a glove that's been on for too long. The tearing sounds rolled from the points in which it ripped until the serpent was completely off the ship leaving behind half of its exterior. Was it merely shedding?

By the time the beast's head hit water with a huge splash; taking with it Sylass and Kildra, there had been more than enough trauma and puncturing done to its cranium to cause it to cease functioning. There was however, the issue of the open wounds. The ship had ceased rocking although the creaking was more audible now with some crucial structure damage. The captain was displeased. "We're going to sink." He announced in a moderate tone. Peering over the edge he'd wonder what of the two that went over-board with the serpent?

The serpent's mass was not able to float and in fact, it sank deeper into the ocean's depths with limited vision.

Success in defeating one serpent!

On deck it was fairly quiet considering the tremblings were no longer in effect. There was a trail of blood left from Bakir's cut that led off the side of the ship. The ship's mast was bent so opening sail would prove only more damage repairs to be needed. The railing from point of the serpent's entry and exit were no longer there. The Captain eyed the mast and the angle it was forced in. "Don' look like we're going anywhere anytime soon. These were just the young ones." Leaving the ship's wheel to attend the shedded skin and scale left behind by Greyonji's frozen arch. Grabbing a decent size of the near transparent exterior he tore it in two. "I'll get ready to have repairs made to the ship." Were his final words before returning back to the Captain's quarters. Locking the door.

Should anyone seek to bring the two overboard back onto the deck there could be found extra lengthy rope looped up and hung on the ship's bow[front].

Those in the sea be warned. Several large objects brushed against them, whether afloat or sinking still. The waters were filled with the blood of the one they had slain. To Kildra, whom might not be able to swim and resurface sunk deeper into the sea's depths. For a while though, the water's surface drew further and further away until it was but a shimmer in the distance. Then all would grow dark for her. Something soon after would pull her violently downward. No air. Darkness turned to light, but it was not an evening light. Perhaps morning? There would be a haze when she looked around, trees, a forest. Meanwhile she'd be beached along side a lake that permeated a mist. Sylass too would befall this fate should he try to bring Kildra to the surface.