The story section is a collection of notes being converted into broad stories. Please forgive grammar and inconsistencies!
All the accounts here are told from the perspective of Olbyk "Ol-bek", the Blackhand Talemaster.
He spent time with the crew of the Berserk Spectre and drew his conclusions from the stories told by those who saw, followed, or otherwise served with the characters of this tale. Although he prides himself to be truthful, his perspective on how the crew felt or reacted are his own observations.
These accounts are told from the perspective of a fey creature by the name of "Magnificent"
Dubbed this name by the crew on one of the adventures into the magical and fantastical realm of the fey.
8/28/2020 to 9/23/2020
The 22nd of Amara’s Will, in the year 565 of the III age, was both a celestial event and Flora Feylin‘s birthday. Tracking the moons of Ora and Soma’s cycle was a normal occurrence for Flora. The fact Ora was a new moon was not lost to her, but the fact it was her birthday was.
Being jettisoned from the Berserk Spectre in the dark of night was a complete surprise and betrayal, causing the crew to distrust the boatswain Stefan Werber. He, with his goons, ferried Flora, and a few other crew members off the ship on orders to test a longboat.
Marooned out on the Unstable Sea under false pretense or an outright lie. This left Flora, accompanied by the ship’s cook Ollie, another sailor named Spixi, and her travel companion Jazun, a drift at sea. In the dark night without the orange glow of Ora, the crew now navigated by Flora’s stars and the soft pink glow cast by Raga’s larger moon, Soma. The longboat found its way to a small island, giving the crew a reprieve from the small confines and the gentle rocking.
Survival was not a challenge for the crewmates as they explored the island, set up shelter, and fished up some food in the shallows of the sea. Harvesting a handful of fruits from the local trees. This collection of obscure food was plenty for Ollie to turn into some efficient and delicious dishes.
While exploring the island, the crew came across other hostile marooned sailors. The improbability of two crews meeting on the same island never mattered. Wasting no time to question them, the crew fought for their survival and asserted their dominance over the other crew. Jazun’s aptitude for combat shining through here as he set to work with his bronto-jaw great axe. None of the crew members were weak, by any means. They each were multi-faceted as any on the open ocean must be.
Finding a strange treasure map on the captain, the crew settled in to wait out and find a way off the island, some plotting revenge on the dark elf boatswain, others enjoying the brief reprieve from the ship.
They slept decently on the shores in their makeshift camp. Not the most comfortable, but it did the job. They filled the morning with further exploration of the tiny island, food preparation, and bathing in the sea.
The crew glimpsed sails on the horizon. This led them to set traps and prepare for potential threats, knowing their campfire smoke could be spotted by a curious spy glass looking at the island.
Longboats sent towards the shore didn’t take long to be recognized as the crew of the Berserk Spectre. The half-orc Quartermaster Gabriel Wright with a shore party. The crew greeted him and quickly let him know of their disdain for Stefan Werber, who they believe marooned them.
Being ferried back to the ship, the crew set out to have words with Stefan along with turning in the treasure map to the first mate Viola and captain “Prince”. Their mission, unbeknownst to them, was a success, as the crew had been murmuring about some secret mission from the first mate while they had been away.
Shortly after setting sail from the small island, the crew didn’t need to wait long as they sailed for hours through the island chain until they spotted a ship which became their next prize. This began their hunt.
The crew of the Berserk Spectre decimated the hobgoblin crew that manned their prize. Making quick work of the trained hobgoblin and goblin mariners. Flora’s eagerness led to her magically teleporting aboard the other ship, only to be stricken down by the trained sailors who were prepared for boarders. This lead Jazun into an unbridled rage. Having already boarded the ship moments ago, he pushed through their ranks to defend her. Gabriel leapt across from the Spectre to administer emergency aid to Flora, leaving the helm of the Spectre in other hands.
Clearing the deck, then clearing the hold and taking out the Hobgoblin captain known as Urodak the “Razer”, the crew then set to work raiding and pillaging the valuables. The crew of the defeated vessel had fought with fervor until their captain, who was bested, at which point the goblin members fled to the other side of the ship and hid.
The crew left enough supplies for the few sailors who were left behind to, maybe, be able to sail the ship back to port. Knowing it would be a very challenging but achievable endeavor, this was a kindness out on the Unstable Sea.
Flora felt one sailor was solely responsible for her brush with death, so she dragged him to the edge of the ship and cast him out into the open ocean, an execution.
Loot stowed and with no other interest aboard, the crew of the Spectre broke free of the hobgoblin ship and left them to their fate, a bout of piracy being completed.
A thunderstorm had found its way to the horizon and hinted that the night would be an adventure.
The storm moved rapidly and consumed both the Spectre and her prize. As she sailed through it, the crew set to the task and challenge with vigor. The captain had Jazun stationed at the helm to hold the ship to course against the gale. The storm challenged the boat, and in the distance, a singular cyclone could be seen by a few of the crew. Spixi with the spyglass and Flora with her rare gift of dark sight, which is rumored to pierce the veils of darkness.
At the base of the cyclone was a massive creature, hard to tell or even understand it, but the fact remained that the cyclone created foul weather such as a whirlpool that moved with it. Sailing and fighting against the strange storm lasted into the night. The Spectre finally breaking herself free to calmer waters and, given time, out of the rain.
The crew ended their day with a meal that, miraculously, Ollie had produced during the height of the deluge. An exceptional meal to restore exhausted and weathered sailors, one worthy of the tale.
A new day, a new week, and a new heading kept the ship all a buzz as they were on the quest for treasure. Based on the island’s shape and fortunate experience of Captain “Prince”, the crew made their way through the island chain south of Askye known as the Wandering Chain. Apparently, the marooned sailors weren’t far from their destination and the island looked quite small.
Once the land was spotted, the ship’s first mate, Viola, ordered a few men ashore. This included the crew of Flora, Jazun, Ollie, and Spixi. Along with boatswain Stefan. Her plans were not made apparent to the shore party, but a test was in play, or so the scuttlebutt of the crew afterwards relayed to me.
As the longboats made their way to the shore, a strange creature; long necked and fast moving, bumped and struck the boat as the crew pushed to make its way to shore. Jazun, being from a mysterious land of Skepna Kall, seemed to recognize the beast, or some variant of it. Fighting it off and sustaining some damage to the longboat, the crew pushed past and made it ashore.
The crew set about exploring the island and following the details on the map, while the men waited by the long ships and kept a watch on them.
Discovering and digging up a treasure chest unearthed an unnatural secret. The treasure was haunted by an evil spirit of a pirate captain. The spirit attempted to frighten the crew away before possessing Jazun and taking control of his body. Flora wasted no time in channeling a divine energy that she didn’t quite understand, to expel the spirit from Jazun. Unbeknownst to the crew, that action carried far more weight than they could imagine, not understanding the abilities of this threat.
The ghost was not one to fight alone and summoned several skeletons from the earth around him and then faded through the ground, fleeing. As the skeletal abominations were vanquished by the crew, a cave opened, revealing a path for them into the darkness below.
They dove into the cave that appeared after destroying the undead. The crew made quick work of exploring it, as they pushed their way into a large underground space that looked to be a previous pirate hideout. The ghost captain once again sprung an ambush, unleashing shadows, undead abominations, and joining the fight himself.
Once the enemies were bested, the captain was the last to remain. He attempted to scare them once more, a foolish endeavor it seemed. Setting a precedent that would become a crew standard, they sassed and openly mocked the ghost captain as they relentlessly attacked him until the spirit could no longer coalesce itself.
This ends the tale of Standish “Executioner” Winmore. Whose name was only learned from the engraved treasure and an old pirate legend. It really didn’t matter his afterlife was made lame.
Collecting the treasure buried within, exploring the cavern to their satisfaction, and learning how it is shaped underneath this small island, they took the information and lugged the treasure to the beach.
Viola and Stefan were waiting outside in preparation, and at this point in time Stefan attempted to invoke the pirate code to duel. Claiming Ollie had transgressed by claiming falsely that he marooned the crew only a day before. Viola handed Stefan her pistol “Luck” and Ollie her pistol “Fate” in order to enact this duel. When both participants, neither proficient with a firearm, could not hit the other, the battle moved to melee combat.
Stefan tossed away “Luck”, and Ollie intentionally held on to “Fate” in her offhand for the fight. Engaging in a fight to first blood, it took Ollie little more than seconds to dodge the man’s sword and pummel him enough to win the duel. This left the matters settled between the two crew members, at least according to the code. Ollie asserted her claim to be true and, with her actions and the code to validate it, the rest of the crew would not question the truth.
I was later told that Viola’s plan to settle things finally bore fruit as she collected her pistol from the ground, chided Stefan for casting such a refined weapon into the sand, and then collected “Fate” from Ollie, who was respectful through and through. This should settle the grievance for Stefan and Ollie, we shall see.
9/30/2020 to 12/04/2020
A night of rest and a failed intrusion into Ollie's quarters aboard the ship and some suspicious activity by Stefan left Ollie on guard - whether they were related none would say. The crew set about their tasks on the ship for the morning until Viola let the crew know that, after their success with the last prize, they would be hunting down a legendary ship named the Greed of Isar.
When they caught up with the Greed of Isar it was in combat with another smaller unmarked vessel. The frigate was engaging a merchant ship off the coast of another small island. When the Spectre engaged, it made a direct approach, engaged the enemy which gave time for the merchant vessel to break away.
Unfortunately for the merchant ship, it was unable to clear the shallows of the island and crashed into the rocks and ran aground on the island.
The fight with the Greed of Isar was fast as they hadn't expected the blitzkrieg tactic of the Spectre’s crew. Quickly they captured the ship, imprisoned those who surrendered after the initial fight, and began raiding the ship. The captain Madian Faulk was left for Viola to speak with per her direct orders.
The crew’s eyes on the island and the other ship which had shattered onto the rocks with curiosity.
Once the Greed of Isar was cleared and the Spectre crew cleared her decks. Viola ordered Madian Faulk to be locked in his own brig, as she then stood on the gunwale of the Spectre and ordered the cannons to fire below the water line on the Greed of Isar. The Spectre set sail and pulled away, circling away from the damned ship and her captain, the sun setting on the horizon the ship circled the island once and planned for the next day.
The crew began prepping the long ships to go ashore with a shore party the following morning. Landing on the beach and discovering the merchant ship to be tore upon the rocks in the shallows along with a small abandoned camp visible on the shore.
Exploring the tree line and coming across a small number of survivors they learned the survivor’s captain had wandered off in the night. Searching into the jungle and following tracks until they discovered a step pyramid where they scouted and found a humanoid shape sitting at the upper most section of the structure. Taking the survivors with them they pressed on.
From the outside it would appear that they were tied up and presented almost as an offering. A race of lizardfolk walking around in various state of ritual and preparation.
With a new sense of urgency, the crew crept towards the pyramid and made their way up. Flora, eventually, threw a rock which caused the lizardfolk to retaliate and battle ensued.
The crew left the survivors near the base of the pyramid in a safe outcropping to not have them harmed in the battle.
Flora, casting the first stone, the crew began their fight with intents on saving the captain of the Cloudchaser from what appeared to be a tribal sacrifice. As the crew set to fighting with the lizardfolk, Flora channeled her powers through her hands and inflicted terrible wounds unto the shaman that was before them. With a few of their fighters and their shaman dead, a great beckoning voice shouted out as a brass dragon appeared and inquired as to what was going on.
With the new dragon kicking up sandstorms and breathing a strange gas onto some of the crew who resisted the chemically induced urge to sleep, the battle continued.
Jazun jumped a top the dragon before it could fly up and through sheer strength wrestled it’s wings back in such a way it could no longer fly, falling to the ground. Jazun was crushed under the weight of the beast but through his rage endured. The dragon once again took to the skies as it spoke, demanding them to cease their actions and to surrender. With the sandstorm keeping the others mostly out of the fight the crew realized Jazun was locked into his rage like a primal focus. As they attempted to de-escalate with the dragon, the dragon was able to send Jazun to the ground and then slam his claws into him.
This caught everyone by surprise as they presumed this could have killed him, only to see that the dragon had withheld his strength and only knocked him out. This gave everyone time to talk about what is going on and what will happen next.
The crew took a moment to awaken Jazun from his unconsciousness before they spoke with the brass dragon. Having learned his name to be Ekotl (uh-koh-tul) and that he was known as “the hungering one” which the crew very quickly learned to be a statement more on his desire to speak and share stories than to actually eat. The lizardfolk that had placed Captain Barbara on the top of the ziggurat saw Ekotl as a wise god, of sorts. They could speak to one another through a form of Draconic but did not speak the common tongue of Raga. Ekotl told the crew that the lizardfolk were set to mourn their dead and throw a feast in the honor of those who fell before “new gods” as, in their minds, only gods can take on other gods. The crew apologized for their misunderstanding but were assured that in the customs of these lizardfolk, should their deity status not be questioned, their loss was honorable and viewed as a heroic and honorable death in service to the divine.
Ekotl gave them permission to delve into the ziggurat beneath them should they find a way in and only if they uphold a promise to him. He wanted the stories of what was learned and uncovered, and he wanted to have dinner with them, to be seen as peaceful and appease the tribal lizardfolks. Any rare and interesting finds would be his first and theirs second. I’ve heard of a dragon’s greed before, strange how this one acts.
Wasting no time, the crew searched the outside and found a door with ancient writing tucked under vines and given a bit of time found a singular hole on the door. With a bit of a struggle they eventually got the idea the hole was not trapped and was simply a handhold for them to push the door open. Upon entry the stale air inside began to meld with the jungle air outside.
Searching the structure they found the remains of very old and long deceased dragons, their bones littered about the space. They explored the structure and uncovered it to be some sort of ancient dwarven make. The evidence of the dragons that had clawed their way through the space and fought with what appeared to be the denizens of the structure became more apparent as they went.
Jazun took a great interest in the dragon bones as his tribe worked with bone a great deal and with master craftsmanship. Dealing with a few traps that remained due to the stasis of the structure, the crew uncovered glowing orbs that were left around. One inside a strange gelatinous creature, others littered about the space, and some devices that looked to be related to them.
As the rest of the crew sought out the remainder of the space, Jazun took time to collect and examine the bones of a strangely unique specimen, set in a corner. The space began to rumble as from the darkest shadow of that pile of bones a black scaled dragon, wreathed in shadow and darkness arose. Eyes whited out with cataracts and yet able to pierce the veil, the crew found themselves once again fighting a dragon.
As the fight went on the crew struggled with the ability to see the creature as it ebbed into the darkness and became harder to hit and harder to see. The pools of old stagnant water would rise and lash out at the crew along with swarms of dark shadow energy forming throughout the space. The crew fought and positioned themselves, unfortunately, in a perfect line which the shadowy leviathan took to her advantage and let out a torrent of black and purple necrotic energy. Flora with her familiar Iris, took the brunt of it as she leveled her shield and leaned in. The energy arched around and even through. It ripped at her and her tiny friend. The energy pierced through everyone in that line dropping Spixi, Jazun, and Flora to the ground on death’s door.
Ollie and Viola were able to react quickly. Viola shot the creature and with nimble dexterity Ollie climbed up the beast and shoved a torch into one of its eyes. This caused the monster to fall to the ground and writhe in what appeared to be its death throw.
Quickly stabilizing their allies Viola and Ollie dragged them into a safer room, not before collecting a few of the dark beast’s scales. They collected them as evidence or proof of conquest, it didn’t matter.
This next bit was a rumor that the crew told me, after much plying, that Viola told after the events.
The fallen had an unnatural near-death experience where they met with Vossinae’s Chosen. Each was given only one option: “ascension”. Take their hand and “ascend to where you belong, taking your place in eternity”, or so I’ve heard fanatics declare.
When they awoke later that night from this experience, they were left with nothing, but a hazy trigger of an open palm outstretched towards them, along with the fading name of “Vossinae’s Chosen” - Viola herself told me this part when she was partaking of some fine Telestian brandy.
After the affair, the crew rested, enjoyed the feast provided by the lizardfolk, engaged with them a bit as Ollie learned a bit to pantomime and start to communicate with them, but also to cook a bit of their odd cuisine. The crew took the time to rest and tend their wounds before planning their dive to finish the search.
Upon entering the structure again, the middle of the next day, they found that the air had become cold, and a dark cloud had been creeping along the stone floor. The crew was keen to loot the building and the dragons remains, but this gave them some pause. Searching for the remaining orbs they located them all and then proceeded to free them from their constraints. Removing one from the statue and another from a nearby wall, the third was lodged into a gelatinous substance.
The gelatinous substance appeared to react when the group got close as Spixi had become very interested in the strange slime creatures that existed down here, Jazun quick as a fox, smashed the creature in one solid strike and sent the orb hurtling into Spixi’s abdomen.
As they entered back into the main space where the dragon’s body ought to be, they discovered it was gone. As the realization set in, the beast sprang from the water in the culverts and attached itself to the ceiling, bathed in shadow and darkness it spoke to them. Announcing herself as Nosseinth, the “death bringer”, and unleashing yet another torrent of necrotic energy upon the crew. This time they were ready and this time they weathered it far better and they retreated into the halls where they could employ a different strategy.
The shadow dragon clawed at the walls and attempted to follow them through the smaller doorways and chase them down. Hurling threats and insult in their direction as they made their way to the machine they uncovered and placing the orbs on the pedestals.
They activated the ancient machine. Light, powered by the magics of the orbs and the machine, began cascading throughout the structure. A loud screech echoed from the dragon as it was bathed in light.
The crew returned to the central room to the sight of the dragon bathed in magical light and thrashing against the walls in a panic. Sensing the crew as they began to attack, carving into the creature, a now illuminated target, no longer able to hide in shadow. The fight began again yet, supposedly, ancient dwarven warriors stood as spectral figures on the edge of the room - watching as they fought the beast.
Nosseinth put up a good fight but was overwhelmed. When Ollie struck an opportunity and stunned the creature, the room itself reacted. Ancient metal chains flew from the ceiling and lashed around the beast as she tried to fall into the water of the culvert, an attempt to flee, only to be bound in iron. The creature’s chest glowing with an unnatural light, drew Jazun to climb up and force open the creature’s chest. Ollie channeled some kind of old monastic teachings and techniques. Necrotic energy allowed her to burn flesh and muscle as she reached in and took up the glowing object.
Ollie fell back and landed holding the item in a trance only until Viola took a shot from her pistol knocking it clear of her. Collecting the item and then, assessing the area to be safe once again, the crew began scouring the ancient structure for secrets and treasure.
With the beast vanquished the crew began to press into the now lit corners in search of treasure or further secrets. Uncovering a room segmented away where they found ancient Dwarvish remains, undisturbed, but sealed away as if they locked themselves away from the dragons which filled the chamber outside. Finding some treasure but leaving the remains respectfully undisturbed they finished their search within the ziggurat and made their way to the top where they were able to relay their findings to Ekotl. Fulfilling their promise of story and tale. In exchange Ekotl investigated the items and revealed their powers to them.
[I would enjoy meeting Ekotl, he seems like my type.]
After more conversation and engaging with Ekotl and the lizardfolk a bit more, they made their way back to the beach to meet with the crew of the Cloudchaser and to head back to their ship.
The crew returned to the beach camp to find the remnants of the crew of the Cloudchaser had grown in number as some Lizardfolk made their way up the beach guiding them over. During this Spixi caught sight of two elderly folk laying in the shallows washed up amongst the wreckage. Dragging them ashore and seeing that they awaken, the crew began to question these strangers and get a better bearing on who and why they were here.
The elder of the two spoke with a lot of sass and snark, the other was quite melancholy and more reserved. The group agreed to bring them aboard the Spectre and grant all crew of the Cloudchaser passage to the nearest city, a kindness not often found on the Unstable Sea.
Taking two trips back to the Spectre, Jazun ferried everyone back to the ship and Viola took care of informing the captain and the rest of the crew of their findings and their situation. Once the longboats were attached the ship set out immediately.
That night the crew was awoken by the constant complaining and belly-aching of the elderly women, eventually Flora rose and went to speak with them, the conversation creating a lull in the bickering.
The crew woke the following morning and noticed that Ollie had changed her wardrobe, her demeanor, and was found to be sober.
[This is when I learned that up to this point, Ollie had been a drunkard most of the time, not unusual aboard pirate ships but a stark contrast to her demeanor from when I was brought aboard.]
She then set about making a hearty breakfast for the crew as she explained herself and the reason for the change. After the events of the island, she had felt the need to regain her focus and return to her training from before she took up the bottle.
As Flora moved topside to the deck, she had a vision that on the horizon lay a castle floating in the sky, held aloft by two stone giants towering in the skies. She went to speak with Jazun about it but was stopped by the two elderly women who had been upon foredeck the entire evening.
[I learned this from some crew who claimed Flora was mumbling the description of the vision, whether true or not I am not certain but stranger things have happened.]
Shushing Flora as the others made their way up and as Flora noticed something strange about the women, she was surprised as they called for the crew attention. Positioning themselves such that one was near the front, the other near the back, they sprung their trap. Their bodies shifting and transforming into a grotesque, frightening forms as they revealed their hag nature. With an echoing sound emanating as chaos took the ship, aquatic creatures began climbing over the sides of the ship as mer-folk began to assault the ship.
The crew was barely phased by the frightening display, setting into motion, and engaging the monsters immediately and within a matter of moments they had dispatched, repelled, and removed most of the threats. Killing one of the sea hags rapidly before capturing the last as she went to escape over the rear of the ship.
Interrogating her through force and restricting her from escaping, they offered to release her if the information was given. Flora stood away, confused, as the crew pressed for information and was given information that Flora’s power would have been useful to them and that her magic seems fey in nature, very old, very old.
Keeping their promise, they released her, by first ending her wretched life and casting her body to the sharks that followed the Spectre.
12/11/2020 to 3/12/2021
The ship sailed southeast through the Unstable Sea - away from the Wandering Chain islands south of the continent of Askye. Making their way to the continent of Feralith on the way to the free city of Ralella. The crew was given instructions to enjoy their shore leave and that they may wear their patches openly as this city has no ill-relation with the Blackhand.
Spixi took the lead in showing them around her home city, taking them for food in the market and visiting a couple of places. For one, the dessert stall with the mute owner, and another being Spectre’s Tacos, who put on quite the fiery performance for their food.
During their time in the market district, they followed a small spellcaster that caught their attention, darting in and out of their sight. They focused and began following them as they moved rapidly and almost appeared to teleport until they found themselves at a side street and catching the slight hint out of the corner of their eye of a door. The illusion took a bit of time to understand and eventually they knocked upon the door and were given access, seeing only endless darkness as they stared into the doorway.
Stepping in they uncovered a shop that was littered with oddities and items that emanated strange magical powers, drawing their attention was a suit of armor at the end of the room that gave off a noticeable warmth even at such a distance. The suit flared to life and began speaking in a language that none could understand, hearing the language that dripped with fire and flame. The creature destroyed the space as it fought with the crew.
After fighting the strange fire filled suit of armor that sought to burn and destroy all it could, the crew attempted to exit out the door which did not operate. As they pushed the fire creature back, the owners stepped out of the back room.
Appearing human in nature, two clearly magical beings, commanded the fire spirit to stop and then began to prestidigitate the area back into its original chaotic order. Meeting the owners Kristian and Bale and then noticing as the small magical being that lead them here, her name Rosifi and her small fox familiar also appeared sitting in a nearby chair.
The crew spoke with them, learned it was a highly unusual shop of rare and magical items unlike any in the world. Items of exorbitant value, incredible renown, and legendary of power were their interest. The bargain bin here held unusual magic items, haphazardly set into boxes with carelessness. Giving off the air that paltry wealth mattered little here, and only legendary sums would command attention.
Jazun bought a potion with a defective label, Spixi was shown a dagger with an edge so keen and a price tag far out of reach, Flora wanted membership into the exclusive club - which only led to confuse the vendors, and Ollie purchased a book to learn Ignan, the language of the fire spirit. The last order of business, the crew asked if the shop would be interested in looking at the stone that was ripped out of the shadow dragon, which the shopkeepers became very interested in.
Once their business was concluded and next steps in place, they returned through the darkness of the door and opened their eyes to the bright early summer sun of the Ralellian streets.
Back into the market of Ralella the crew enjoyed their time exploring and the lovely early summer weather. As they did a bit more shopping for food and began pressing further into the cities Old Town, Spixi lead them to her familial home, an impressive building with a sign reading “The Maiden Fair” in an elegant script. She led them in and greeted many of the familiar faces, even the ones who grew older while she was off adventuring, as the life of a gnome is remarkably long.
The crew was surprised at the initial cost to stay the evening but began to realize that the cost was inflated due to the nature of the building. The Maiden Fair was not a tavern or an inn, but a brothel. Upon learning this and hearing out some of the services that this establishment offered, Flora took immediately to the idea of a bath while Jazun was tempted by the opportunity to test his strength and wager coin on a “wrestling match”. Ollie, one could argue, was smitten by the Tiefling who appeared to be running the establishment and was introduced. Her name is Euphoria. When the conversation about services switched to Ollie, Euphoria offered that she could find rest, a bath, and companionship. Ollie, supposedly quite flustered, asked what a night with her would cost, and the red skinned Tiefling could almost be seen to blush as her attitude switched. Two hundred gold coins could buy her attention for the evening and, with some help from her friends, Ollie anted up which surprised the Tiefling.
With their evening and entertainment paid for - they set into the baths and to the bar to get acquainted with their place of residence in Ralella. Meeting Lorelei and the others who worked the Maiden Fair under Spixi’s mother Rosihani and father Tanhik. Flora and Ollie separated to bath while Spixi and Jazun went to the bar for a drink.
[It is remarkable the details Spixi retains in her fast-paced updates, often she pushes my keen attention to new heights.]
A mid summer’s late afternoon nap, after spending the afternoon shopping and acquiring lodging, led to waking up to find strange magical gifts, as if a holiday were celebrated on another plane of existence.
[A most remarkable thing, to fall into a sleep only to wake with gifts from a red-robed stranger of jolly demeanor? More research is needed here.]
Later, Jazun was able to have his wrestling match with a half-orc woman by the name of Ketash, once they finished their match the two left the other’s company to converse privately. Flora and Spixi were able to drink and enjoy a nice walk. Afterwards Spixi retired to her familial home next door and Flora returned to her room to rest.
Euphoria dressed to impress and joined the recently cleaned up Ollie and spent the evening in conversation, drinking, and watching their friends enjoy themselves. Before the two were given their privacy and an opportunity to talk further. Ollie was kind and despite paying for the evening, she still strived to be the gentleperson and have a chivalrous nature. Their conversation went well, and the evening went ahead as one would expect given the circumstances.
[The crew of the Spectre learned later that Ollie had spent the night with one of the most desired courtesans in the city and the scuttlebutt was like, as some declared, “hot tea”.]
Early into the morning hours, a sound of something hitting the wall outside of the room where Ollie stayed roused her from sleep. She crept out of bed and with stealth she moved to the roof and spotted an archer who at quite the range across the courtyard was attempting to shoot the window. The lights orbiting them dipped down as they vanished.
Ollie made her way, under veil of night, out to the courtyard to investigate and was greeted by a stranger dressed in garb not too far from her homeland. He called her out due to her strange dress and then immediately engaged her in combat. Brandishing a long-curved blade that was known to the island nation of Ranhama as a katana.
He introduced himself during the fight as Talshin of the Black Shadow. Stating that besting her in a duel would bring him honor. When they were both battered - he fled. Stating her skills were notable but that’d he’d be back to finish the job.
Ollie attempted to return to her bed but was stopped by Euphoria and immediately taken to the bath to wash her and dress her wounds. Asking about the attack and showing real concern for her as it is not customary for Euphoria’s clients to be assaulted in the night.
The crew rejoined at the bar for breakfast and most found themselves settling into this establishment, as it was quite lavish and comfortable. A coin became a new art project for Jazun who carved a face into it, and “The Game” between Jazun and Spixi was started. Given the afternoon to work on individual projects, Ollie and Flora set out to take in the day meditating in the courtyard and reflecting on the recent endeavors.
Jazun set to task working on his axe, learning from Ketash that he could likely toss a few coins to the desk clerk to use the tool shed out back to serve as a small smithy and this got the fires of creation spinning in the mind of the bone-smith.
Spixi set out to the town to see if she could find a place to sell some illicit items that they had picked up along the way and to acquire further information about the city’s recent rumors. Spixi was successful and did find some information but also found out about a more recently formed gang called the Takers.
Upon returning from her investigation Spixi was excited to see that a goliath man named Paavu had introduced himself to her crew and had joined them at the bar of the Maiden Fair. As Spixi was relaying her findings, the crew assessed that Spixi was using illusory magics to hide some small bumps and scrapes from her endeavors. With high spirits and an opportunity to kick some heads in, despite Spixi’s protest and disinterest, the crew rallied and made their way to where Spixi was assaulted down by the warehouse district. Before leaving Spixi convinced Paavu to stay behind and to also not tell her mother what she was up to.
[It’s amazing what goes from secrets to just common chatter after the incidents is over.]
As soon as Spixi identified the person who deceived her and lead her into the trap in the alleyways, one that she claims to this day that she escaped, she dashed forward and took out the magical rope she carried from the dwarven ziggurat from Ekotl’s island and lashed it out and bound him. Ollie pulled her mask over her face and moved rapidly up to threaten the man.
This led to a sticky situation, a guard saw this and moved up to investigate before Flora or Jazun could act. Flora took an opportunity to cast a spell, charming and creating a zone where lies could not be spoken, and as conversation broke down - Jazun picked up the thug who was still bound by Spixi’s rope and then the crew scattered. The guards attempted to dog pile on to Jazun who eventually won out and was able to climb a building and lose the guards while Ollie and Spixi scattered. Flora turned invisible through a magical means and made her way back to the Spectre.
Ollie, Jazun, and Spixi made their way back to the Maiden Fair, where they decided to put the thug into the small workshop that Jazun had used earlier that day. He and Ollie stayed with the thug while Spixi went to update her mother inside the Maiden Fair.
Trying to enter the backdoor, she witnessed a one-armed captain of the guard speaking with the front desk, realizing that she had thrown around the name of the Maiden Fair when dealing with the guards so they must have rushed to grab a captain and must’ve rushed here, she now had to address how she’d deal with all this.
Spixi slipped into the brothel and found her mother there and her mother offered to help her with this situation, but she’d need to work it off.
Flora found Viola at the ship in a drunken state and the two walked off down along the docks in conversation, odd that Flora was separated from the others.
Spixi’s arrangement with her mother could work to relieve some pressure of this moment but they still had a captive bound in the workshop. Rosihani looked to Spixi to be an adult and solve her own problems and began to immediately start writing something down. Spixi returned to Ollie and Jazun to solve their own problem and a lot of ideas began to form rapidly as they began brain storming.
[This practice would become quite the common place over the comings days as the two collaborated on other large schemes.]
Coming up with ways to incriminate others, distract, remove blame, make a break for the ship, kill the man, and dump his body outside the wall. They were working quickly feeling as though the Ralellian guards were out in full force to capture them, so every idea was put forth.
Spixi decided she wanted to see her mother again and attempted to sneak into the Maiden Fair again only to find the guards remained. She snuck behind the bar to give a message to Lorelei to relay. She returned to the group to uncover that Etgar had woken up and that he had turned to the Takers to provide for his sister and that he was a desperate man. When Spixi was able to sneak over to her familial home where her mother had moved in response to Spixi’s request in her message. Rosihani was not impressed. Albeit a short period of time had passed this evening, Spixi’s mother was looking to her to solve this like a leader and the response she brought to her did not impress. She explained that the letter Spixi saw her writing was calling in a favor with the local law master and that it should resolve this problem, but Spixi must get that captive out of her workshop.
Spixi also brokered a deal to offload the illicit substance they uncovered on the Hobgoblin ship, colloquially known as “Vapor”, to her moth. Vapor was something Spixi was entirely unfamiliar with.
[It would seem I have records on the item and had I been around I might have offered an explanation.]
The crew bound Etgar and snuck him back to the warehouse district where they tied him up with rope, knocked him unconscious, and left him in the streets where they found him. As they traveled, the guards didn’t appear to be on any sort of alert and perhaps it was their attire, but the guards didn’t engage them at all.
Flora and Viola walked, drank, and conversed for a while. Sitting on the docks and talking over their travels before Viola mentioned she’d be heading back to the ship and that Flora could follow if she wished. Flora opted to stay and as she sat out on her lonesome a strange blue owl appeared out of the night sky and began speaking with her.
[Flora, at the time, was prone to flights of fancy and an oddly colored owl would be enticing, I’m sure.]
The crew made their way down to the ship presuming Flora would be there. Detouring to buy some cloaks and disguise themselves to draw attention away from themselves and to make them blend in. It was hard for them to tell initially whether the guards noticed or cared but after a while they were clearly never bothered.
Once they reached the Spectre in the dock they found Viola, drunk, alone, and without Flora. The fact Flora had passed by the ship and Viola had left Flora to her own business didn’t sit well with Jazun who did not hide his disapproval. The crew wasted no time traveling down the docks of Ralella in search of their friend. Spending the time necessary to scour and follow any hints they found. Eventually making their way back in the city towards the Maiden Fair.
Encountering a heavily armored individual who appeared to be leading Flora back towards the ship, the party was introduced to Wilmorn. Being a knight of the Inquisition, the party was unsure of this character but Flora claimed he was a gentlemen and walking her to the Spectre on Ellisar’s orders. Once Wilmorn released Flora to the crew they made their way back to the Maiden Fair for the evening instead of the Spectre.
Once they returned they saw Stefan in the corner of the bar room waiting for them, apparently with interest in speaking to Ollie. After Ollie’s impromptu duel, Stefan felt he would have some information in this regard so he made it known to Ollie . The two had need to speak. Stefan revealed his true name to be Zszin to which Ollie revealed her true name to be Akali and the two formed a reluctant initial partnership, the search for ways to hurt the Black Shadow and some form of revenge had begun.
[I learned this was also when Jazun crafted some amazing artwork and a plan to attempt to make Stefan and Ollie become friends.]
The morning started off well and as the crew made their way down to the bar room to meet with Lorelei and have a sizable breakfast with some very uncommon “waffles”, peppermint none the less.
[I have long wanted to decipher Akali’s recipe book to add to my tomes.]
Viola had brought the crews pay, updated them on the ship’s status and their shore leave timetable, with Stefan in tow. Stefan pulled Akali aside to inform her of his findings from the evening prior, having concluded their initial partnership and setting out to work overnight as he did his best work in the dark hours - being a dark elf. He relayed information regarding Talshin, Akali’s assailant, brother to Lady Tallrene - a name that dredged up ill memories from Akali’s past. The Black Shadow as they were called in the common tongue of Raga.
Spixi taking some time to converse with her mother and offload the metal boxes of vapor, accepting the payment, she uncovered some additional jobs from her mother. Hunting down a troublesome gang referred to as “the Takers” which would minorly benefit Rosihani’s goals but a more valuable task of investigating a way to “remove” some officer level members of the Eclipse Syndicate.
The crew wrapped their planning session and set out into the streets of Ralella to gain information on the easier of the two targets, the Takers. Finding Etgar, both threatening and bribing him, the crew was able to uncover information related to the Taker’s leadership and hideout. Etgar bargained that he’d need the afternoon to collect his sister Mirabel and book passage out of the city in the most urgent way possible.
The crew went off shopping and mingling in the city to occupy their time. They then cleverly positioned themselves near the docks to catch a glimpse of Etgar and Mirabel boarding a ship and clearing their minor obligation to their word.
[No honor among thieves but a pirate’s word is law.]
Once the crew confirmed their plan to allow Etgar and his sister Mirabel to safely leave the city in exchange for the information on the Takers was successful the crew made their way directly back to the Warehouse District. Darting through alleyways they found themselves outside the supposed hideout. The crew scouted the outside of the building, noted windows, and the primary entrance, and took great interest in the armored man standing out front clad in wolf pelts.
Formulating a plan to break into this place and strategizing in an alleyway the crew popped their head out only to see one of the thugs standing out front had walked over to investigate. The crew wasted no time in disarming him and dragging him around the corner and bound and gagged him. After some brief interrogation the crew made their approach.
As they approached, they identified the heavily armored man as a threat, so they snuck up on him using a bit of arcane intervention and some invisibility. As they did so the man in the armor spoke out letting them know, he could smell them. With that Jazun and Ollie set out to pacify the warrior, Flora snuck in through the main door, and Spixi began to try and incapacitate this witness.
The armored fighter took out his shield and battle-axe and when Jazun struck at him, it seemed all his reckless attacks were never granting an advantage against this man. As the party tired him out, he used every trick under the sun, from throwing sand, to using the glint of his shield to constantly disengage and run away. He made his way around the warehouse until Jazun was torn between chasing his prey and the sounds inside that indicated Flora may be in danger.
Akali busted through the window as Jazun broke through another wall and the fight was taken inside. Flora had moved around the space veiled in the shadows of invisibility before she eventually dropped it to try and put a portion of them to sleep with magic. Once she became visible the leader immediately became aware of the intruders and shouted in alarm. Taking a spear and stabbing out against Flora and rallying his goons to fight.
The fight became chaotic and a Tiefling boy appeared as Haegar Stormchapel, the leader of the Takers, summoned him with shouts and demands. The boy began to cast a spell which allowed Haegar to vanish as well. With an invisible leader as the primary threat the crew pushed past boxes and trivial goons until Akali was able to stun the Tiefling and break his concentration on the invisibility spell.
When the tactic of having the Tiefling boy, whose name was learned to be Sly, empower Haegar began to wane and become less fruitful the leader began to plot his escape. At which point a voice called out from supposedly nowhere offering aid in exchange for coin. When Haegar offered whatever price, they’d want in order to win, the voice agreed and the fight shifted back in Haegar’s favor.
Jazun was struck from an unseen source as the armored, wolf pelted, warrior reappeared with a shout. The two began to fight one another, reckless swings, Jazun still not finding advantage against the warrior as he had started to shift, his body taking on the lupine form as his bestial rage began to show through. The two began to wail on one another relentlessly.
Meanwhile, Akali continued to disarm and disable Sly as the tiefling boy kept trying to hide Haegar in the arcane veil. Spixi used her magical rope to entangle and restrain him, this slowed him but did not stop the boy from countering Flora’s magic by breaking the spell. That managed to confuse and alter Flora’s perception of magic, temporarily debilitating her. Once Haegar was knocked unconscious and restrained the wolfen warrior’s ally left their invisible veil and revealed themselves to be a purple toned tiefling man, introducing themselves as “Song” and that his partner was aptly named “Wolf”.
The crew, while Jazun and Wolf were bashing each other in a rage fueled fight, began to speak with Song realizing that he and wolf were essentially fighters for hire and would go to the highest bidder. Allegiance with Haegar was just a chance for money and seeing the crew best him left them with no allegiance to him.
As the rage subsided the two barbarians slowly looked over to their allies and realized they had no need to continue fighting, in a strange sort of acceptance and reluctance they agreed to end their fight and regroup - no true winner declared.
The crew opted to leave the remaining thugs tied up outside and embarrassed, along with stacking the dead alongside them. Taking a quick inventory and finding a book in which the Taker’s accounting could be found and in absolute disarray and proving some poor “protection money” plans and just overall bad performance. They threw this on Haegar’s lap and left a note embarrassing him and his crew as they left claiming the tiefling boy Sly and the two sell swords with them to the Spectre.
3/19/2021 to 4/16/2021
After introducing Sly, Song, and Wolf to Viola and the crew Viola took the crew aside to let them know they were to go on a trip to a place called the Kraken’s Maw.
The crew left Sly with Gabriel and sending Song and Wolf down to investigate the Dagger’s End tavern and learn about the Eclipse Syndicate - a test to prove their worth. the crew set sail on a smaller boat Viola had chartered. Viola suggested that the crew not bring all their valuables as this place was rowdy.
The trip down was quiet and relaxing as Viola let everyone know that the Maw was a place to celebrate. A place of revelry, drinking, and even gambling should they wish.
Upon arriving the crew was led off the docks into the primary village where there were stalls and locals already trying to sell the crew local food and drink. A resounding introduction to the tourist trap that is the Kraken’s Maw. Partaking in some food and drink they mingled with the locals before moving towards the primary tavern. The Eye of the Beast, the main event location of this island society was raucous and the largest gathering of people the crew had seen here yet. Being approached by various vendors and some trying to solicit coin from them in exchange for entertainment, information, gambling, and anything else one could think of.
A halfling man approached Jazun, calling out his size and strength and challenging him to take on one of the toughest creatures in the region in a contest of strength. Eventually he was successful at egging on the crowds and some of the crew to gamble on the contest. Once bets were placed the halfling brought out the contestant, an “Ox” named “Tuff”.
[It was told to me later that Tuff was in fact a Bison.]
When the tug of war began it started out initially equal, but Jazun warmed up to the contest and eventually took the victory. In the aftermath of the victory though, as the onlookers were eager and excited by the spectacle, Jazun took his time to check over the beast he wrestled with. Checking over the wellbeing of the animal and the harness it used to perform this stunt. Seeing the beast well cared for and almost a celebrity in status - made the heart warm knowing the shady halfling didn’t abuse the creature.
The halfling, on the other hand, didn’t take long to attempt to move the money around and his shifty actions were quickly clocked by Akali and Spixi. The two caught him and browbeat him, with their morals, and made it clear they weren’t a group to meddle with. Pocketing one hundred gold for the endeavor.
Entering the Eye of the Beast the crew mingled into the crowd and met with Griswold, or “Griz”, the tavern owner. Spending the evening gambling and playing strange games like “sting” where they would stick their hand into a scorpion basket all for coin and entertainment.
[Spixi reveled in telling the crew about this game, it was intriguing she’d play it…]
The evening rounded out with “Griz” summoning the entertainment provided by one of the local pirate captains, a Captain Ashton, supplying a bard... of sorts. It was Arando, at knife point, carrying a lute.
[Arando was one of the Cloudchaser’s crew that the Spectre ferried to Ralella]
With a rocky start to his performance, Arando played. He later had support from Flora joining in, the two found a rhythm and Arando’s song lead with some confusing lyrics and some subtle hints about the establishment. With a plan in place to start a brawl, the crew took to task to create mischief. The first lead with Jazun leaping through the air with over-the-top theatrics. In response, the crowd was a bit confused until the rest of the crew followed suit with their own machinations and eventually the brawl was started.
Jazun thriving in the chaos of the brawl, Flora focused on her music despite distractions and wavering thoughts, Spixi moving about the place and taking a tactical approach, and Akali orchestrating a series of chaotic ploys to further the absurd scene, all quite effectively done. The chaos of the brawl went on for a good while, with Griswold looking on and not engaging right away. He retrieved a cudgel made of a bar leg and then set about ending the calamity. Captain Ashford stood and made the bold statement that her crew would be “robbing this place blind” causing the pirates who previously opted to tussle with the crew to betray them and draw weapons. The brawl moved to no quarter combat. The Khiton Empire sailors that the Spectre crew originally started a brawl with along with the hobgoblin sailors in the corner began to create faction lines and the brawl got bloody.
Viola, mocking Griz in the chaos as he asked her “which side she was on” and she replied with “the winning side of course.”
A chaotic fight ensued as old alliances were broken, new ones were forged, and the Spectre’s crew set to dispatching Ashford’s crew (and Ashford herself in a display of absolute strength) and any threats all while also making their way towards the backroom to see what awaited there from Arando’s cryptic singing.
Griswold, seeing his bar being wrecked, became infuriated and went behind his bar to draw out a massive great sword. An impressive weapon with his furious aura palpable as he too turned lethal.
With Jazun smashing Ashford into the floor, Viola once again taunted Griswold and this time took a huge draw from her flask and using the flint from her flintlock to blow a massive plume of fire into the rafters.
[This vacation had become a raid on the Kraken’s Maw, I wish I was there to have experienced it firsthand]
Griswold, with a nasty weapon, and frightening show of force attempted to force you out. As you tore through and selectively knocked out, incapacitated, or otherwise dispatched threats, Griswold began to run out of steam.
With an opening made available he attempted to run, making just to the other side of the bar, before Jazun leapt up onto the bar and with his might and his bronto-jaw great axe, cleaved Griswold clean in half. The show of force wasn’t done yet as in the fury of his rage he spun the axe again and with incredible speed brought it around to smash into the upper torso to destroy the man. His weapon clattering to the floor and being left in the burning building. Many of the denizens exiting in the chaos, most of their fate unknown to the crew.
Everyone regrouped in the now open back room, assessed what was found, planned an escape, all while the other part of the tavern lay burning. Quick organization and stuffing containers with coin and treasures, the crew exited out a hole Jazun broke into the wall. Having Arando dump a barrel full of copper coins in distraction as a break was made for the nearest beach, and nearest ship.
With some crafty rowboat selection and then making a direct line to the first ship on the horizon, the crew made their way out to sea.
Sailing casually back to Ralella after the escapades in the Kraken’s Maw, recovering from the chaos of the rescue turned heist. The uncertain and weakening wind conditions made the journey take longer. Even though the trip was slower the moonlit night sailing was a calm respite.
In this brief downtime the ship was assessed and found to have places to rest and recover. Upon request Arando filled the crew in on why and how he ended up at the Kraken’s Maw. Including how he came across the information about the room that contained the treasure that was pilfered, the plot from Captain Ashford that was thwarted, and as he finished his tale the crew offered to take him aboard as part of your crew.
With a surprising couple of thuds, the small ship ran into a reef, grinding the hull against it but at the slow speed it was traveling at the damage to the hull appeared minor (from the inside). A simple course correction guided the ship back into deeper waters, but it began to lose speed, going into calmer winds, a body was sighted in the distance.
There was some debate on checking it out, landing on the possibility it could be a castaway and to cautiously check. Jazun, leapt overboard with a lifeline attached, and the rest of the crew diligently watching him as he made contact with what later was revealed to be a mermaid. Jazun was captivated by experiencing this “first contact.”
The boat soon had other mermaids swimming around the outside as the rope tied to Jazun went taught and had a strong downward pull, eventually the crew cut it free as Jazun cut his tether to avoid whatever that was all together. The mermaids began to push the crew to leave, barely answering questions and practically screaming at them to flee. All the while Jazun swam rapidly back to the boat and back aboard.
The boat was missing oars, the wind was calm, and the ship barely moved. Jazun leapt overboard to attempt to convince the mermaids to move the boat by grabbing it and swimming, Akali moved to the back and grabbed a handle to the tiller and just began pumping, turning the ship slowly and pressing it forward into what little wind was available. Eventually through collective efforts the boat began to move, and the mermaids traveled with the ship as the wind slowly pushed the ship back to a slow cruising pace as the sails were trimmed and caught the breeze.
After some time and distance was taken, the mermaids were still traveling with the ship until a deathly quiet overcame the night and then a loud shriek as all the mermaids scattered and dove deep as their voices resonated through the sea into the depths.
In the distance, from where the ship traveled, came a large waterspout that formed and caused the wind to rush like an explosion in your direction and with a quick brace of the sails, the ship turned, began to ride it out as the ship lurched, groaned, and began to sail rapidly towards Ralella.
With an ominous and foreign maelstrom forming in the distance the powerful winds drove the small stolen ship back to the safety of the port-city of Ralella.
Upon arriving a decision was made to take the stolen ship directly to the Spectre, offload the haul, and then to dispose of it. With J’rry Three Toes and his boys ready and willing to take on the honor of disposing of “the Diligent'', the name that was etched into the back of this ship, the crew was free to finally rest for the night.
A brief conversation with Stefan (Zszin) set him to task counting spoils. He let Akali know she had a maiden caller looking for her and after a brief hug from Flora, supposedly an awkward exchange between the two. The plan of staying aboard the ship quickly changed to staying at the Maiden Fair, a brisk hike up to the brothel, came with only one oddity. Some of the crew saw strange robed figures milling about in the night, not intriguing enough to stop, but notable.
Upon arriving at the Maiden Fair, rooms, baths, drinks, and food were all taken in. As each set about their own business for the evening; imbibing in drink or other pleasures, Flora snuck off into the night. Flora made her way out into the night on business of her own, rumor has it to the local garrison and the Inquisition.
Once she returned, everyone settled in for the nights rest and slept into the mid-morning, the posh beds doing wonders for recuperating and creating a feeling of new found strengths. Having a well prepared and quite unique meal prepared by Akali, led into discussion of what to do for the day. Taking the morning and early afternoon to go about some personal business.
4/23/2021 to 6/23/2021
Starting the day in the familiar bar of the Maiden Fair, the crew of the Berserk Spectre planned out how they’d spend their day over breakfast and conversation.
Each set out on their own to get some personal errands done.
Jazun, spent the morning with the new materials he obtained from the mermaids working them into his great-axe. The process didn’t go remotely as he expected but even in failure his journey was fruitful. With a subtle recommendation from Ketash, the half-orc courtesan, who recommended Jazun utilize an old furnace located in an outdoor work room, Jazun was able to fuse the shells into the weapon. This caused the axe to take on the form of a massive hammer, that when commanded would vent superheated steam that scalded the air around it.
Spixi, found herself wandering out into the courtyard, in the privacy of the morning, she began to contemplate some of the foreign new abilities she discovered this last week. Tapping into a power that is new and foreign that somehow began to form naturally for her. As she took a break from training, Euphoria joined her to chat after Spixi made the request to catch up. Finding out that it wasn’t about business, the two caught up and gossiped but in spite of Spixi’s best efforts, Euphoria kept the details regarding Ollie quite private.
Ollie, spent the first part of the morning enjoying more quality time with Euphoria, relaxing, and being cared for. After a while Euphoria excused herself to go meet up with Spixi, leaving Ollie with some time to relax and return to her studies of the Ignan language.
Flora, traveled to the garrison and were able to eventually speak with Ellisar and go on an impromptu tea date. For the most part Flora lead the conversation but all in all it seemed to go well. When the tea date naturally wrapped, he walked her to the door of the Maiden Fair and Flora rejoined the group.
With Flora revealing that the law master was looking for them and Flora was given the task of bringing the crew to him. As all agreed to waste no time, they went to see where this would go.
Traveling to the garrison where the crew met no resistance and spoke with guard Cpt. Bamid, who brought them into a side room to meet Falken Stormchapel; local law master. After initially being assessed you then heard out his request to investigate some missing persons in the shanty town outside of Ralella. He requested the crew work as free agents and tell no one, none of the Inquisition, Order of Light, nobody but him and those in the room. Once all agreed, the crew freely left, went to collect their items and previous payout from the ship.
With a short visit to the Spectre, possessions collected, the crew set off back to the streets of Ralella.
Spending the afternoon tending to some errands and collecting your belongings from the Berserk Spectre. The crew was able to reconnect with some of the rest of the crew and deliver messages while also receiving them in kind. Retrieving their possessions and coin, they set about to the market for a brief lunch and then up to the Highborn District where they were able to buy rare and expensive potions from the halfling owner of the Harpy’s Tincture, along with some expensive jewelry from the elven owner of the Ruby Bijoux.
Once trade was finished, a trip past the Maiden’s Fair to procure rooms for the evening and to stow their more precious possessions was in order, as their next stop was the shanty town of Beggar’s Hole.
After entering Old Town, Jazun began to sense something predatory stalking the group, this dominated his attention. While Ollie was made aware and began to sense it as well, Flora and Spixi were only made aware of Jazun’s sense but they were not able sense it themselves.
Making their way to the southern gate of the city, stepping out and seeing the well-kept road bordered by the expansive shanty town community that has formed here. You were able to speak with a sentry and with a small tip of some gold coins, he pointed in the direction of Odo Callen who was known as “the prophet” amongst the shanty town citizens.
Finding him and putting up with his eccentricities the crew was able to learn about the missing people, and his missing orc friend. He pointed to a small community who were able to be convinced to speak with you. Ollie was able to tap into her monastic traditions and provide medicinal aid along with some kindness to these people some good faith was garnered. This faith convinced them to speak with the crew.
Spending the rest of the time until nightfall speaking with other families who would be willing to come forth, many were not. Even so, the crew was able to collect a bit more information. All while Jazun remained focused on that predatory sense and his mere presence seemed to keep some of the more aggressive denizens of the shanty town at bay.
Returning to the city, just before the gates closed, the group spoke with the guards and learned a slightly different story. Where the people of Beggar’s Hole spoke of a white robed doctor with a plague mask being Luther Zula the guards claimed that it was Balok Hunzrin who was doing the charity work carting people from the shanty town in.
As most of the group spoke to the guards, Jazun became captivated as he saw upon the rooftop a single individual with a drawn, curved, blade glinting in the light of the red sunset. Ollie heard a familiar voice in a broken form of a language she hadn’t heard in a long time speaking to her magically. It was Shima-go, the language of Ranhama.
As the sun set in the west, the air cool as the summer sun no longer shining, the streets of Ralella began to be lit by torches and sconces. All attention turned to this stranger, who it appears no one else saw.
The stranger on the rooftops fled before anyone could find him, an ominous messenger.
The crew followed the strange task from the Lawmaster, Falken Stormchapel, to investigate the shanty town outside of the city for an increase in missing persons.
Gaining some information from “the prophet” Odo Callen along with some families in Beggar’s Hole their search led to two doctors. Arthur Zula and Balok Hunzrin.
Investigating Luther first, the crew heard him out as he told tale that he wasn’t leaving the city, didn’t have any interest in charity work for the poor, and simply wanted to be left alone.
Investigating Balok Hunzrin involved some shenanigans were some of the crew magically went invisible and explored multiple houses near the south wall. Eventually, knocking on the door, and investigating one of the homes, Ollie was able to introduce herself to Balok. Speaking of her interest in aiding him and discovering a small boy in his care who appeared to be healing, she offered to return in the morning after Balok proposed she could fulfill her desire to help then.
After returning to the Maiden Fair, Ollie began to share more of her history with the crew and relayed some more context to the man that appeared to be hunting her down, the man from the rooftops. Relaying that his name was Talshin and that he only recently named himself and began to hunt her but his connection to the Black Shadow assassin’s was something she knew of.
The next morning, all awoke and made their way to Balok’s house where the crew found him to be gone, leaving the boy named Aiden behind. Investigating the nearby building led to a disgusting discovery of a home that smelled of decay, rot, and disease.
Spixi agreed to take the boy back to his family while the rest of the crew decided to try and attempt to find a lead and set out into the city.
Jazun, following the scent much like a bloodhound, made it possible to rush through the streets of Ralella to find a strange robed man. Following him as he slowly and methodically moved through the city as if a puppet on strings, eventually he was confronted.
He continued to mutter “When the eye of Ora is full, Lord Silranas will have his souls” and moved almost as if in a trance through the streets. Ollie attempted to remedy him and was able to briefly break the trance on him only to have him use Balok’s name.
In the alleys of the city of Ralella, the weekend starting, the Summer Festival kicking off, the crew held this cultist with a new sense of urgency.
Flora relayed the information about the Lunar cycle and Ora being full this evening to everyone. Spixi returned Aiden to his parents and paid Hazud Whitaxe a little more as a kindness. Regrouping, the crew took the afflicted man to Luther Zula to have him looked over, learning it was a magical affliction from both Flora and the doctor himself. Dispel magic didn’t work here.
The crew took the afflicted man back to Falken and turned him over with all the information on what you found. Telling stories of: Luther Zula and his claim to not be involved, about Balok Hunzrin and his suspicious activity, the gore and viscera at the house and the boy - Aiden.
After relaying this information, the crew set out to investigate the streets. Grabbed lunch. Met up with Wolf and Song at Dagger’s End and pulled them from their mission to work with them instead of investigating Dagger’s End and the Eclipse Syndicate.
Investigating the central thoroughfare and town center briefly in multiple passes, seeing mostly people decorating, imbibing in drink and son, and a few Acolytes to Eone in front of their temple all in preparation for the festival.
Returning to the Berserk Spectre to speak with Zszin (Stefan) and learning that Balok was rumored to be a member of the Black Shadow on the level with Tallrene and Talshin.
Returning to Falken again and this time were left waiting until he returned with the afflicted man who was more sane, but still burnt out - dehydrated, withered, unhealthy. The man relayed that he had no memories and that someone “was building an army” referring to them as “he” mumbling about the bodies he saw. You fed him.
Attempting to convince Falken to cancel the festival was, ultimately, a success but under a lot of stress and resistance, and doubt that it could be achieved in time he relented. He pushed the crew out of his office and left them to your own devices.
Running into Bamid, the guard captain, and briefly exchanged information. Then left him to his “FUBAR situation with his boss”
Making your way to the warehouse district, meeting up to collect Wolf and Song who were unable to sniff out anything that matched the rag you provided. The crew planned to search more for the afternoon.
The day would be amazing if not for the information you alone possess, as you’re ahead of the masses on this possible unseen threat and ominous full moon. Spending the remainder of the evening on high alert and waiting for something, anything, to happen.
Frustrations ran high as the mysterious plot and lack of information to be uncovered had the crew forced to sit idly by.
As the sun set and the orange glowing moon of Ora rose on the horizon the crew watched as a procession of acolytes was lead in by a single priest of Eone. Drums pounding with boisterous noise and censors creating a strong scent on the wind as they approached the central fountain of the city of Ralella.
The priest inquired as to where the people were, why the festival was so barren, and when Ollie (now going as Akali) approached and went to unmask a robed individual he asked if she meant him harm, causing her to pause for only a moment. With her quick grasp she got a fist full of rotten flesh and immediately reacted to that by shouting out to point out the grand deception.
In that chaos, combat ensued as Jazun leapt into action, the priest filched an orb out of the fountain and disappeared, while the harlequins who had been stirring chaos previously joined the fight with the now aggressive undead as they began to strike out at the crowd and the crew.
Attempting to save the unruly citizens and unsuspecting guards of Ralella from the undead attack. As the crew began to attack the illusion covered undead, darkness enveloped them as Talshin of the Black Shadow attempted to take down Akali and your crew while Balok attempted to sow chaos and sacrifice innocents to his “true goddess” Orandr.
Those outside of the darkness saw as an orb floated out of the darkness only to release a large wave of energy. For the moment the crew was trapped in a strange alternative realm where they could move but they could not feel their bodies and all actions resulted in rubber banding effect which brought them back to where their body was as if your spirit was tethered to their body.
Balok walked to each of them: remarking that Flora reeked of “Elysium”, that Talshin would take Akali’s soul for his master Silranas - referred to as the “master of blades.” Jazun’s worthy warrior’s spirit was a backhanded compliment, and nothing but a laugh at Spixi. He was surprised to see some were able to move, noting that “only those marked by the goddess, should be able to move here” Spixi retorted with Vossinae’s name and he responded with derision, claiming “He’d steal these souls from Vossinae herself to give to the true goddess.”
After the exchange the spell ran out of time and everyone was returned to the battle. Rallying and clearing waves of undead minions, battling the resilient beast that was “Norman”. Akali (through the power of friendship and uppercuts) eliminated Talshin, at which point Balok then fled - tail between his legs.
In the aftermath, Ellisar and the Inquisition knights teleported in as the crew mopped up the remainder. Apologizing for being kept in another part of the city where they were attempting to predict this plot and found the red herring attack. Letting all know that Flora had relayed helpful information to him and that they were grateful for the effort.
7/02/2021 to 7/07/2021
Having recently thwarted the attempts of an evil wizard who used necromantic magic to attempt to sow chaos in the city of Ralella. Through acts of heroism the crew of the Berserk Spectre saved the unruly citizens who lingered against warning at the festival and dealt with the pompous law master who praised them as heroes for dispatching the threat. Clearly for his own gain.
Having spoken briefly with Elissar, an Inquisitor who was grateful for the service of dispatching the agents of the Black Shadow, a thorn in their side, he informed the crew that the Inquisition had been tracking this threat and that they chose the wrong place to respond to - falling for the red herring.
As the scene concluded, payment was the topic at hand, and Falken Stormchapel effectively told the crew to “come get it” to which, Song offered up his services as the crew looked like they could really use a break from this hardship. A nice offer and a chance to put trust in the new shipmates, the crew took the offer.
A long evening that was filled with rest and thoughts of an optimistic and free tomorrow.
As each set out to enjoy their last day in the city, they each took time to themselves to accomplish some last minute business. Spixi spent time with her family, friends, and did some recruiting of new crew-mates. Jazun took time for himself to leave the city and reconnect with himself through druidic meditation. Flora enjoyed a tea date with Ellisar, checked out the festival, then found herself wandering the lands outside the city lost in a dream or memory until she ran into Jazun. Akali did some stuff, y’know, “be our guest”, a date, I dunno it’s D&D anything is possible.
The crew was summoned to return to the ship the following morning of the 7th.
Having rallied on the deck of the Berserk Spectre, Captain Prince welcomed you back praising his new “pirate heroes” and their ability to follow shore-rules, their new crew members, and their next voyage.
<Captain’s Whistle>
“Listen up, it looks like you all have had a lovely shore leave. If you recall I asked you to not add or subtract from the population and if you ended up in jail to assert dominance quickly. Well it looks like some of the crew opted to assert so much dominance the Lawmaster is calling them heroes~”
“I’m glad to have our heroes back aboard and ready to sail again. Along with some new faces... work hard, earn your keep, don’t piss off the officers, and last of all don’t go dying on my ship.” “We’ve got a new heading and we’re going island hunting. Viola’s got a bead on a crew of slavers that stumbled upon some kind of ancient temple or some such nonsense.”
“Now you all know my stance on slavers, and you all know my stance on ancient gold, I see this as a win/win. This is the Berserk Spectre, I am your charmin’ Captain Prince, cast off and let’s get to work.”
The crew was well underway towards their unknown island destination. The captain has you all hunting slavers and possibly ancient treasure.
The crew had left the port city of Ralella behind them as they boarded the Spectre on orders from the Captain. Having set sail making their way out into the dark blue depths of the Unstable Sea.
Smooth sailing and lovely summer weather welcomed them back to the open ocean. The coast faded into the distance behind as the crew settled back into the rigor and routine of sailing the Spectre.
A single day passed with nothing eventful occurring as the Spectre made good time with the wind behind her; filling the sails, keeping spirits high and pushing the ship through the waves. The freshly copper sheathed hull giving the crew an unusual sense of fresh speed.
During the calm, Song delivered the payment of 100 gold coins to the crew and the individual writs created for them from Lawmaster Stormchapel. Not long after this conversation was beginning to wind down, J’rry Three Toes called out to the crew “Sails! Cap’n!”
With some spotting, the crew now special officers collectively decided to convince Gabriel to alter course, with very little resistance, and the ship set out to investigate.
The approach was at first aggressive and full of excitement as the rest of the crew fed off the group’s excitement. Captain Prince and Viola, approving of the decision to go after a fresh prize.
As the Spectre reached the distance where cannon fire was possible, Akali was ordered to fire a warning shot and took out the foremast with a, little too close, shot. When the Spectre was close enough to be able to see, with the naked eye, it was uncovered that the deck was empty.
Prodding this situation until the two ships were close enough that turning away may be difficult. The decision to abandon the prize was called out and as it was, a voice that piqued memories and confusion called out across the ships.
Madian Faulk, the captain of the Greed of Isar stepped out onto the deck, calling out and speaking to Viola and the crew of the Spectre. The exchange of words and tension was short lived as the crew grew impatient but politely waited for him to finish. Akali stepped into the hold and fired off a cannon into the side of his ship, the results were surprising as the ship began to take on an ethereal form.
The previously drowned captain, revealed his self to be undead and engaged the crew with intent to kill Viola and everyone aboard the Spectre, swearing his vengeance on each of those who sank him.
The battle ensued and the undead crew faced off against the Spectre. Notably, the decks were cleared rapidly, only to find that Madian managed to make his way over to the Spectre itself and began punching Viola and at one point, backhanded Spixi hard into the gunwale of the Spectre.
Madian was dropped to his knees multiple times, he should have died or been dispelled, yet he lingered. Claiming that he would never truly die, that he would never quit, that his hatred fueled him limitlessly. Eventually, Viola drew her blade, fiery aura, eyes glinting red, as she pointed it over at Flora on the deck of the Greed and then back to Madian, exclaiming to “strike him with some holy shit.” This was one of the first times the crew heard her “command” in an ultimately serious tone.
Striking Madian with a bolt of radiant energy was what it took to cause him to dissipate with a massive spectral explosion.
The last member of the crew was the ghost who was at the helm, who had harassed Flora and Akali almost jovially as he phased in and out of the ship to be untouched. This lasted until they dispatched him. With the ghost crew bested, the ship began to quake and you all returned to the Spectre. Madian in his undead and shattered form coalescing but barely held together, stepped onto the deck of the Greed once more and shouted his challenge to the crew that he could “never be stopped” as he laughed maniacally.
From the depths spectral chains lashed over the hull of the Greed and as Flora, Jazun, and Spixi watched they saw the forms of two divine creatures wielding large scythes and seeming familiar to a dream or something. The creates spoke out an ominous warning before they slammed their scythes into Madian’s sides and dragged him down as the chains pulled the ship beneath the surface taking the revenant ship and her captain down to the fathomless depths, forever.
As the ship was dragged below, boxes and chests float to the surface and your crew immediately set to fishing out the coins and trinkets, it would appear Madian had hunted prizes even in his undead form.
The darkness cleared and the midday sun returned, the ship took to sailing again with its island destination ahead.
7/14/2021 to 9/15/2021
The crew of the Berserk Spectre set to the task of sailing as the ship returned to a sense of normal. Stefan and one of your new crew mates Acton, set to their task of counting and storing the loot. Taking the evening to rest and recuperate after the battle with the ghost ship. The following few days passed uneventfully as the ship made its way towards the island.
Coming upon the island, the crew saw no other ships in the waters around. As the Spectre circumnavigated the land, partially, spotting a single plume of smoke coming from the beach.
Captain Prince sent the crew ashore, to search the beach for remnants of the possible slave trader crew or any clues to where it had sailed. Landing on the beach, the crew ran into two marooned crew members of the suspected slaver ship. Speaking with them was a short affair as they were quickly considered not a threat, it was decided that they had nothing of value, and it wasn’t worth helping them.
Leaving Stefan and J’rry to guard the beach the rest of the crew set into the jungle. Making their way easily to an ancient temple, driven by a strong sense that this temple held something that they deeply desired. Viola’s led with purposeful stride as she made her way directly to the strange site as the jungle faded to a blur for all who entered.
At the temple the crew proceeded with caution as they approached four statues. Greeted by an ancient guardian spirit of a goliath, a challenge was issued. In order to proceed someone must best the challenge, picking a champion and a partner. Spixi offered herself up as the partner, putting trust into Jazun to be the champion, he initially wasn’t interested in risking such an unfair seeming challenge. The challenge at hand was to fight champions of past who were depicted as statues surrounding them, stone, and inanimate.
When the challenge began, the statues were animated to life and Spixi was placed in the middle of the space. Jazun fought bravely and made an impressive display as he set to his task of both defending Spixi who was magically incapacitated yet still on the field and dispatching each of the champions. Clinging to the edge of standing conscious, down to the wire, the goliath himself entered the fray and praised Jazun’s fortitude. Jazun bested him, slamming his form into the ground with his massive bone-weapon, surprising all in attendance.
Spixi woke and was instantly rejuvenated as she ran over to Jazun who lay battered, as the crew rushed to his aid. The goliath goaded Jazun to rise, Jazun ignored him blatantly, Spixi asked Jazun to rise and as he did the same restorative energy rushed from the floor into Jazun restoring him.
The goliath introduced himself as “Lorozak” and granted all entrance into the passage behind him, where within the answer to what everyone was compelled to desire - resided.
Entering into the long closed up structure lead to a large open bridge that overlooked absolute darkness. Crossing to the other side and seeing light though the large double doors. The crew entered into the space and saw amazing treasures and piles and piles of gold. Overtime they inspected the treasure hoard and overtime they began to get the feeling that not only did the treasure seem odd, it seemed meaningless compared to a few select items. Jazun and Flora took to a mystical staff, others to masks, trinkets, and baubles that all were answers to what the crew sought.
Traveling further into the structure carrying these newly found precious items that drew them to claim them. The crew spotted a strange being, winged and goblinoid in appearance, they spoke to it and it primarily talked to Jazun as he was the one who treated it the most, normal. It was able to speak in everyone's native tongue and fluently - even the more obscure languages like Akali’s of Ranhama. When the conversation faded, the creature asked them not to follow and entered into a room and apparently disappeared through a portal to another land.
Traveling around and back to the main room. It was soon discovered that an illusion broke on the items they carried and a disgusting creature rent itself through a portal and began to lash out and strike.
The monster was writhing tentacles, spikes, and a mouth that lashed at the crew at every opportunity. The spikes on the tentacles latched onto those it hit and it seemed to blink and jump about the room, as if slipping into invisibility or magically moving. The crew was able to beat the creature before it was able to drag anyone down the halls and to take them to who knows where.
Once the beast was bested it eroded into disgusting sludge and eventually spread out to the floor, leaving nothing salvageable as it appeared not meant to exist here. Above where the body pooled the space before it split with a bright magenta glowing line that created access to a portal. One that Jazun and Flora touched and disappeared for a brief period. What they experienced on the other side was near impossible to describe but the term massive dragon, was used.
When they returned, the portal closed behind them, and a sword clattered on the ground and skid to a stop near them. Picking it up and the sword found its way into Spixi’s possession, looking like a large two handed sword on her small gnome frame.
As the crew explored and found artwork depictions on the wall, depicting large monsters, and a final one that depicted something very similar to the monster Jazun and Flora had just seen, leading to a religious quandary of why this art was created.
In the next room of the structure, on the island dubbed “Bastion” based on what the goliath supposedly told the crew, they found old possessions and a treasure chest with coins, journals, and even one Jazun found he could read. Laying in the corner of the room was a strange machine that resembled a large wolf, one that did not function. Flora and Viola stayed to investigate the strange machine and the rest of the crew opted to explore further. Spixi took interest in the room where the small winged creature disappeared, despite being asked not to follow, and Jazun promising, Spixi made the move to enter the room to which Jazun shouted, through magical means, to Akali who had held back to support both groups.
Akali rushed to stop Spixi but managed to be just a hair to slow to stop her from entering. Spixi uncovered more information about the winged creature, but there was nothing else in that room. The sounds from down the hall drew the crew’s attention as everyone rushed back to the room where Flora and Viola were.
Flora and Viola had managed to get the machine to work albeit very poorly. It twitched and stuttered at every action it attempted. Flora did attempt to communicate with it and make friends, this ultimately failed. Once it revved up, it lashed out at the group and the weapons it displayed startled the crew. The wolf was able to howl out a thunderous blast of sound that hurt along with some incredibly strong bites when it wasn’t stuttering. The crew thought they could fight it, they changed their mind quickly, and made to flee.
After the group began to flee, Viola ordered everyone out and was the last one to leave, she stepped against the machine with her rapier lit aflame with green flame and ordered even Jazun to release the door and let her be last to flee. It’s rumored in this place Viola was seen to show strength beyond her appearance.
Jazun barred the door as she stepped out and the beast was trapped.
Traveling back along the long bridge and up through to the entrance of the underground mountain structure and out to where the crew had bested Lorozak’s challenge previously. Conversing about what was found, what was learned, and even to Lorozak where it was learned that he saw the island differently. Where your view was that of the top of a small mountain, that the travel to the beach was a number of hours of travel, Lorozak saw the beach as only a couple hours away.
With some rest and eagerness to return to the beach and back to the ship everyone rallied and set foot back into the jungle. Realizing that the power of desire had lead everyone to the temple, the return trip was a mystery.
Flora asked iris to fly up and Jazun tapped into his tracking training from Skepna Kall and between the two, the crew traveled to a small camp in the jungle that seemed oddly familiar. Uncovering a small buried chest that gave Spixi a challenge and remained locked. While examining it the creatures of the jungle gave a sense of being stalked and it grew quiet as Jazun became very aware that something big was moving in their direction.
Creating a small fire of extremely potent plants and creating a smoke effect in attempt to mask scents and distract whatever it could be.
The jungle gave way to a large reptilian beast that made its way towards the camp and crushing trees as it stepped forward. Once the crew saw it in total, the small campfire blowing smoke in its direction. It turned to investigate the smoke and the crew stepped back to create space. Unfortunately for the crew they were unable to distract the beast enough so they had to fight it. As it thrashed, slammed, and flung electric mucus at the crew they ultimately brought it down and in the quiet aftermath, Jazun began harvesting pieces from it. Collecting all the treasures from the trip along with the new pieces, the crew set back into the jungle.
Returning to the beachhead they found themselves coming upon a scene with Stefan and one of the shady crew members, who was there when they landed, lay dead in the sands. Stefan had captured them both after trouble started and one lay executed.
When they prepared to set out on their longboats the crew was torn between casting out into the darkness and waiting until morning. They were assaulted by an unknown force. After a few arrows struck them the crew spread out to find the assailant who gave them quite the slip in the darkness of the evening. Despite their ability to see well into the darkness the creature was able to blend into the shadows, seemingly becoming invisible.
When light finally caught them they appeared to be a halfling of some kind. Later as the creature called out demanding it’s possession back the crew quickly realized it was after a golden pickaxe that was in the treasure chest they had acquired along the way. The crew was undecided between kill or return the item until a well-placed arrow wounded Spixi and dropped her to the sands. The crew rallied, ran the creature down, and once it was beaten they found it to be a Kobold who’s disguise did not hold up to the beating.
With a last minute utterance of “Forveri” Jazun opted to knock out the offender and take him aboard. Stripping his gear and having one of the grunts box up the possessions in case he wanted them. Wasting no more time with the island the crew set out in the longboats into the dark of night and pushed themselves back to the Spectre.
The crew push themselves through the night and return to their ship. Stowing the kobold and all their gains aboard their ship. Once aboard the ship began a slow sail around the island during the late evening. As the crew found themselves comfortable once again and made their way to their places to rest and recover, Flora found herself in the crow’s nest staring into the sky which had charmed her multiple times in the past. That evening, with dazzling displays and an aurora beyond imagination, Flora was absolutely intoxicated by the charm.
Once the night air blew softly, a voice could be heard by Flora offering her a star should she wish for it. At which point she did so, offering up the names of the crew members, in exchange for the invite the voice promised, and a star.
9/22/2021 to 9/29/2021
From the crews perspective, everyone returned from the island and had gone to rest only to sleep late into the next day. What was later learned is that Flora had been summoned somewhere and through uttering the names of the special officers; Akali, Jazun, Spixi, and the first mate, Viola, she had invited them to go as well.
Stories of a strange travel, dreamlike in nature, flying through a limitless sky and doing so for an unknowable amount of time. Hard to believe experiences in this limitless sky.
After the crew landed in an another world, one of endless twilight, at a table lost in an expansive and almost abrasive forest. Sitting at a table and being offered food and drink as their host seemingly played with his quests.
Until he literally played with them as game pieces, shrinking all but Flora down to the size of game pieces - to which the host and Flora played a strange game with her friends lives. Their hosts purposes being foreign and hard to understand.
[I believe Flora learned what this strange being wanted, but these tales are hard for me to grasp, I’m making speculation here]
One of the longest days lead to a late morning and new revelations as the crew awoke to the midday sun.
The lingering strangeness of the night and dream like state lay heavy on their minds until the next day’s oddities distracted them initially.
With Akali finding her new spirit companion whom she named “Igni.” Spixi acting incredibly strange, almost possessed. Flora's mind weighted heavy from dreams likely. Jazun had made some breakthroughs in his first steps towards further wizardry, from what Song could tell it was more Druidic when asked.
With some shenanigans related to the sword Spixi was carrying, the crew learned it had the ability to speak, and the ability to impact the wielder and take over control.
Spending the rest of the afternoon about the ship, it sailed into the twilight hour as the winds began to die down and Flora spotted a small floating makeshift raft with her impressive vision in the lowlight of dusk. Viola summoned the crew to investigate.
Jazun diving in and swimming over, Flora testing her first abilities to fly in the twilight sky. Together the two were able to land and inspect the body and the raft. As Flora went to return she fell into the water before flying out and back to the ship, soaked.
Jazun swam the raft back until he ducked his head under and with exceptional perception and athleticism he saw a large number of sharks swarming but not striking. With his Drekahúfa charged and his force of will he began to spook the small ones as he swam back. His last sight was of a massive ship sized shark before he hefted the body aboard the ship.
As Jazun lifted aboard, the humanoid figure spoke briefly saying "impressive" in Draconic just before the he slumped in a seemingly unconscious state against the gunnel.
10/06/2021 to 12/01/2021
The crew brought the human down to the hold of the ship and setup a makeshift hammock to hold him. The crew took turns that night watching the sleeping, seemingly unconscious figure. Throughout the night he seemed to wake up and periodically engage with some of the crew, apparently pretending to be asleep or unconscious. He spoke to Jazun briefly and then woke early and spoke to Akali.
He was incredibly strange and vague, this annoyed the crew but they had picked up strangers in the past so they left him to go about his absurdities.
After some time he appeared to grow bored and then tried to goad the crew into an adventure, he promised information on a possible prize. The crew knew that they didn’t trust him but they were tempted by the idea of a new prize to capture. This was a decision for Viola, so the crew set to present it to her. The crew took the man who introduced himself as Bill Rerth, the Gifted, a wizard, to meet Viola.
The following morning he was up early, eager to take the breakfast Akali prepared. He was eager to search the ship and then urgent to speak with someone who could change the course of the ship and go on an adventure.
Bill continued to reference a possible ship and not long after the call of sails was made from the crow’s nest. With the arguable strangeness of it all, Jazun grabbed Bill and took him to see Viola.
Viola was skeptical, heard out the crew, and as she went to put the issue to rest Bill challenged her. Bill claimed he could predict the future and that she’d want to shoot him for irritating her. That when she did, her gun, would fail. He antagonized her until at the last second her temper got her.
With a flash of bronze in Bill’s brown eyes and a flash of red in Viola’s blue eyes the crew watched as the legendary pistol “Luck” which had never misfired, clicked, and misfired.
The smug Bill made his claim and Akali pulled Viola aside to decide what to do with all this; choosing to see where this thread of fate was going. Besides, you can always dump him in the ocean later.
Bill’s foresight made the crew superstitious, and Viola issued the order to sail for the prize Bill promised. When the crew grew raucous and set to work, she told Bill that she would execute him should this not pan out, his response was confident and assured.
The crew of the Berserk Spectre, led by their First Mate Viola, chased down a Khiton navy ship and with some crafty utilization of a leftover navy flag the Spectre was able to get well within range of the ship which identified itself as the HMS “Endeavor.” With a short exchange of shouts the conversation was quite short before the shooting started.
Engaging in ship to ship combat the Spectre made impressive work of wounding the naval ship. With luck on the side of the Spectre, their prize found itself short cannons as multiple misfires ruined their guns, and fortunate shots destroyed their helm.
Upon boarding the crew made quick work of the trained sailors who were outmatched by the raw power. The captain of the ship, wounded from cannon fire, was demolished by Jazun. Bill foretold that someone would achieve an incredible feat in battle, and as he hovered and watched, he spoke out at Jazun claiming that time was now as he wanted to see “someone hurt” as Jazun smashed the navy captain into the deck leaving a bloody trail as the body careened to the gunwale.
Viola made it clear she wanted no quarter given, no survivors, but one, and the crew would recognize them. The tide of battle rapidly turned from a boarding raid to an execution as the navy crew lost its coordination. The crew would beg and plead for their life before lashing out or striking towards your crew, actions unfit for gentlemen, let alone Imperial Navy sailors.
In the belly of the ship the crew found themselves encountering a prisoner in the brig, after speaking with them and seeing the known mark of Viola upon his wrist the crew tied him up to deliver him to Viola.
Exploring the locked door, Spixi managed to wake some sleeping individuals in the hold of the ship. Stepping across the threshold and entering into the hold inside the bow, they spoke. In response to their words the dragonborn you found spoke softly “that was a mistake” as he vanished from sight.
As they spoke the deep and long sound of howls was heard echoing throughout the ship as two lupine figures entered the hold of the ship from the stairs leading down into the under-ship, drowning out the sound of triumphant shouts of the Spectre crew above, drawing attention back to danger.
They had rushed recklessly and with harmful intent, claws dug into the weathered wood of the flooring, and unnatural strength drove them.
The ship felt stifling as the air seemed to be cool now that the barred door was open and dark creatures spoke ominously, drowned out by the howls. A blood pumping experience powered by instincts and urged on by the strange cold that caused hairs to stand on edge after seeing the strange beasts.
In the aftermath of the battle with the strange wolfen creatures and the unnatural lord. Akali had been knocked unconscious after being bitten by one of the wolfen creatures and when she woke she appeared to be an entirely different person, the near death experience having shaken her to the core and seemingly left her with some sort of lingering new aura.
When the monsters were dispatched and the ship was cleared, Jazun and Wolf went into the under ship and it’s not entirely clear what occurred with them as Jazun made his way back up to the midship, into the bow, collecting some mud and then returned to the under ship, or so Wolf claimed.
After the commotion cleared, Bill demanded his cut of the treasure uncovered. His demand was for 1/3. This didn’t set well with the crew who deemed he did nothing, Spixi was emphatic about this. This made him change his demand to 1/2. Viola drew her pistol and with a cocky “it won’t miss this time” she shot him, the bullet passing through his leg and a clear blood spot forming. His only reply was “ow” before he spoke out a spell and left a small mote of swirling fire just a few inches above the deck of the midship, directly in front of Flora who was under the table and the rest of the crew who was all now staring at it.
The small mote of fire swirled and pulsed ominously, Bill teleported above the deck leaving the explosion to deal with the crew. As everyone reacted and made their way up to the upper deck to chase him, he moved about the ship rapidly and eventually jumped overboard.
After seeing him jump overboard, Viola issued a standing order to strike on sight, and that’s when a large shape crawled over the side of the ship. Presenting as a bronze dragon, the head of the beast looked over the side before darkness itself swirled from the deck of the ship. Coalescing into a massive spectral dragon form, unleashing a massive torrent of breath towards the Spectre and its crew.
The fight continued as the bronze dragon slinked around the ship and avoided the crew of the Spectre while the spectral dragon fought them openly, terrifying them as it could. Bill in the form of a dragon now fished out some treasure from the ship, taking a few shots as he pulled out boxes of treasure from the hold. Before the crew was able to stop him, he fished out some treasure and slinked away from the ship, leaving the large spectral dragon to fight his battle for him until the crew saw him flying off into the distance and noticed the spectral dragon dissipating.
In the aftermath, the crew stripped the ship of its remaining treasure, Viola issued an order to partially crew this ship and take it to the Admiral of the Blackhand fleet, Vencia, as a gift.
Resources accounted, a logbook from the HMS Endeavor acquired, and the crew now set to recover from the experience. Akali had been acting strange after her near death experience but more so the bite mark that was left on her. She sought out crew members who knew anything about the possible affliction or malady until Flora offered to try to help. With her magical powers she gave Akali some comfort that the affliction was removed.
Spending the afternoon and evening discussing what has transpired the last few days and taking the time to rest and recover.
In the darkness of twilight, Flora was acting strange and talking to herself until she reached into her pocket and then smashed something in her hands.
The crew spent the remaining night looking for Akali, Flora, Spixi, and Jazun. The call of man overboard and then searching through the night the crew was baffled as to what happened to them.
12/08/2021 to 12/15/2021
Like any good story there must always be drama, hardship, and joy. This is a tale of a young being learning her place in the grander scheme of the world. A coming of age story with an absolutely magnificent guide. Flora was given a gift, a stone that shone of starlight, from a quite powerful and magnanimous fey lord. Once she crushed that stone, her and her companions were returned to the land of the fey and given precious gifts themselves.
Each was given the strength of their future selves to use to achieve a noble and honorable goal. One that Flora would be responsible to lead them to do. Flora, my darling child, will complete this quest with no issues.
I gave her and her companions this grand power so that Flora could show her talents and her lineage as a leader! Flora was given the quest of slaying the nefarious Queen Titania, the dubious and diabolical tyrant of the fey.
Flora’s companions were a bit disjointed, and I would actually not have had much confidence in their success, the bigger guy at least had a strong presence about him. Watching them as they left, Flora’s clever attempt to teleport straight into Senaliesse was crafty, albeit foolish.
They stumbled their way through the dark caverns of the Feydark, coming across a group of Fomorians and a Cyclops, completely off track of their goal and wasting the powers I gave them and traversing past them with stealth and rudimentary skill, it was rather boring to watch.
The rousing of the multi-armed troll monsters who thrashed the cyclops to death was at least a saving grace here.
Flora’s leadership skills leave much to be desired… Although, I did enjoy them stopping just shy of the gate to Senaliesse to talk feelings and heartfelt … thoughts.
The big fellow seemed to be channeling some “age of wisdom” nonsense with divination magic. This caught my attention as I watched the experience with great curiosity. It seemed they didn’t trust me, their quest, or the honorable task before them… what an absurdity, I have done nothing to warrant this distrust.
Well, the tiefling spirit warned them of danger, a lie. The strong orc like spirit claimed there was more than they know at play here, pfft obviously. The last one, a hobgoblin which claimed there was no enchantment on Flora, but purely a compulsion of blood and family ties. I like her!
Once they finished this ritual, they stepped into the castle and were greeted by the queen’s guard. The queen’s guard greeted them and offered to take them directly to the queen, how absolutely convenient, I hadn’t expected this to be so easy for them. Titania, your guard needs so much more training.
The way the guard took them through the maze was quite hilarious though, walking them through magical realms that seemed to go for days just to tire them out, quite devious. You’d think that would prove the queen was nefarious in nature.
Walking into the banquet space, they paused briefly, was this a chance to mingle? Oh, no, they walked right up to her, brazen, I love it.
Speaking with the queen… WHAT? The queen struck a bargain to trade information? NO! I do not like this… Let’s hope they are stupid… or that Flora cannot hold her wine. I’m putting a lot of faith in Flora here. The queen wants to fight them?! What a glorious twist! Perfection!
The queen introduced her sister Vothritelia as Flora’s mother? Intriguing, I wonder if Flora will believe that - I set her mind clear on her lineage, this should be no issue… Ugh… Flora and Vothritelia are now hugging? The companions staring awkwardly is quite the visage, I share their expression here…
The tyrant queen now demands her battle, devious, magnificent.
The queen summoned forth a battlefield of the banquet; summoning tree like tyrant monsters, devious revelers, and using her own powers to engage them. My gifts proving invaluable as they previously would have been undoubtedly demolished. The queen’s charming bolts pacified the big one yet was unable to charm the halfling. The gnome appears to be jumping around and… I’m bored… The big one is fighting a tree, BORING. The halfling is knocking out a reveler… EXTRA BORING…
The game must change…
After invoking my power, I was able to use Flora as a conduit to bring myself to the battle. My arrival, grand and impressive, my form towering and indomitable. The queen herself locked to her throne and Flora and her companions now can slay the queen.
This was the point when Flora failed and it was of no surprise, she betrayed me, more importantly herself. Her and her companions began to fight me instead of slaying the queen. I turned my attention to them, they gave me no challenge. Although… they did manage to put up quite a sporting attempt. The big ones bone blade, the monks fiery fists, and the gnomes psychic infused bolts… even amplified, what trivial attempts.
This battle grew tiresome, their strikes tearing into my form, and that’s when Flora surprised me… She was holding the Staff of the Traveler I gifted her… What an opportunity but first I had to pacify the half-orc, and so I did, my commanding fear debilitated him - I hope his ego was sated previously because now it is humbled, haha!
Now was my chance, I saw Flora casting a spell, our wills in contest. An easy victory for me; my form impervious, indomitable, infinite, regardless of dilapidated appearance, it was never for me to lose. I broke the staff and Flora was now mine.
Having never really left my seat at the head table, the summoned form I created could handle no more of this enjoyable entertainment. Flora was given a last chance to see her aunt and mother, and of course my magnificence, before the magic of the broken staff banished her back to Mythrir.
The queen summoned Flora’s companions before her and returned them expeditiously to Mythrir with a “go to her” - how poetic.
Shortly after this performance and the successful testing of the Feylin, Queen Titania summoned her lapdog Okam to the throne room. His incredulous disrespect for my successful performance test of the Feylin soured my mood all the same. Okam knows he is beneath me, but I’ll leave the queen to use him for her machinations and not waste my time on him. We’ll see how he fairs in Mythrir…
The crew of the Berserk Spectre continued to search for their special officers. [We later learned what had occurred to them.]
Landing on the beach miles outside of the small port village of Wisperwynd, waking with none of their gear, weapons, nor their packs. Survival became the primary goal for them. Taking their time to collect resources from the nearby surf and jungle to make tools.
Traveling a short distance to the west where they were able to come across a strange Eladrin man who introduced himself as Okam. He led them back towards a surprising scene. A bloodbath of pirates lay in the sand, the party scoured them for resources, claiming their weapons and Jazun used one of them to go “fishing.”
Apparently, the body was useful in catching a massive catfish, which later provided an abundance of food and even parts to make strange druidic spellcasting tools, for Jazun. Akali crafted one out of the charred materials and Flora out of the raw sand nearby. Crafting makeshift containers and tools as they rested by the fire for the evening their makeshift basecamp.
1/12/2022 to 5/11/2022
Derelict without their gear on an unknown beachhead with a strange new elven friend the crew surprisingly were in good spirits as they roasted and prepped the spoils of Jazun’s massive catfish haul. Dividing up the edible parts and cooking and smoking the meats to last as they paired it with some milk from the local coconuts. Setting to idle crafting, conversations, and the nights rest the crew eventually found themselves deep asleep.
[Jazun had managed to befriend a one-legged seagull, quite a spectacle]
The evening passed mostly uneventful until, during Flora’s watch, there was strange commotion in the shallows. Flora and Okam moved to check it out curiously casting a Faerie Fire spell in and illuminating the shallows. Setting off an ambush, large fish monstrosities began hurling harpoons from the surf and with shouts the crew was roused to battle.
Fighting with the monsters as they attempted to harpoon and drag the crew out into the waves, a strange humanoid shape was seen bobbing out in the surf. As it moved it cast spells at the crew and appeared to command them with a boom voice. After the tide of the battle turned in favor of the crew the shadowed figure continued to urge the monsters to attack. At this point Jazun leapt into the shallows and proceeded to grapple and beat the caster senseless, dragging him ashore, the rest of the crew dispatching the fish monsters.
Questioning the man that Jazun dredged out of the ocean the crew found him to be infuriating in his ability to speak. They learned his name was Lincoln.
He appeared to have skin that resembled that of a sharks, with gills upon his neck. His words a series of, infuriating, half-truths that confused and fouled any conversation with him. He was persistent in avoiding the water but phrases like “I don’t, not, want to avoid the ocean” made this a major issue.
Traveling west to a river, which the captive Lincoln wanted nothing to do with, the crew turned south and walked into the jungle climbing up a ridge to get a better vantage point. Jazun’s recently befriended seagull, dubbed Jim, was useful as an eye in the sky and scouting aid.
Upon the ridge overlook the crew was able to discern that to the south lay a vast swamp, to the west a high ridge where the village they sought ought to be, and north was the sea. Heading east would double back but likely lead a long path to the next settlement.
The decision to crest the river, even with Lincoln’s opposition, became the next path. Traveling down the ridge, over the river, and following the beachhead that led to a village with two parts, one lower segment with docks and an upper hilltop segment.
The first steps into town lead to a quick assessment of the lower segment of the town, learned to be Wisperwynd. Finding the docks, the shops, and local tavern in the area. Asking for the date, the name of the village, and getting their bearings.
Jazun happened to stumble onto a job by meeting someone on the docks who offered to pay him for his strength. It was later discovered this man was a prolific figure in Wisperwynd’s local politics.
The Slumbering Hall, a tavern run by a Patrick Huxley, was where the crew settled and spent the evening - planning and sorting out their next steps. Getting to know Okam a bit more, organizing their stay with the few coins they picked from the dead pirates, and immediately looking for work.
Akali, Spixi, and Flora offered services to Patrick to assist around the tavern the following day.
With credit acquired and a safe space to sleep secured; the crew set out to take on one of the most mundane jobs they’ve ever uncovered, removing rats.
They found the house, one of many, that requested the removal of the rats - the crew entered in to explore the basement. A fight ensued with the small furry creatures; Jazun turned into a saber-toothed tiger and set to hunt the rats with the crew. They made short work of the disease carrying vermin.
The homeowner constantly rushed the crew and heckled them to finish quickly.
[The oddity of this story is that the last rat that lived was well over three feet and claimed to have spoken to the crew, claiming to be Lazarus the Rat King. I find this part of the tale to be a bit, embellished, but for the sake of truth, I add this note that Jazun ate the rat king.]
Afterward, the homeowner paid with a bag of sand with a few coins in it, then ushered them rapidly out of the house. Upon leaving the crew encountered a confused husband and wife, who were baffled as to why they were leaving their house.
They learned that the man that had hired them had been a squatter, the crew walked just far enough away to watch the man flee from the homeowners. Job well done.
Having returned to the Slumbering Hall to the rest and get a start on the next day the crew set to their labors.
[This was when Flora used her magic to send a message and reach out to Viola and describe where she was, it was fortuitous they had picked me up and I had my maps.]
The crew awoke early to set about providing services and labor to the town of Wisperwynd to finance their prolonged survival. Jazun worked the docks for the day. Okam kept an eye on Lincoln and set to his service of providing the ability for sailors to breath underwater in exchange for coin. [It’s told that Okam selectively feigned success for some of each group… a trick it would appear]
Akali worked the tavern as a cook, Flora as a server but her and Spixi ran out of work rather quickly. They set about the town to garner information as couriers. They made their way to the upper part of the village, Flora sought out a local priest by the name of Rosmia but was unable to find her. Spixi inquired and found that there was some strange threat to the local farmers that was stealing their livestock.
That evening the crew rejoined each other and plotted to set out to explore the homesteads and uncover the threat to the livestock the following morning.
After a full day and evening’s service provided by Akali, Patrick loaned the crew a set of odd mounts referred to as Peco Peca. These birdlike mounts served to ferry the crew out to the homesteads and farms outside of the village of Wisperwynd. Taking the better portion of the morning into the afternoon to ride out and investigate. Speaking with a local farmer the crew learned that their population of “Bunson” [Bunson are a mix between a rabbit and a bison, large lumbering livestock, watching them leap is marvelously comical.] The crew also learned that a group of mercenaries for hire would make their way into the town to harass, heckle, and partake of revelry - which annoyed the locals.
The local wasn’t entirely helpful but the investigation led to some very large feathers which inspired the crew to plot a way to entice the possible thief. Jazun, having studied the bunson creature, used his druidic powers to transform into one and act as bait.
Fortune found them lucky that the thief appeared in the form of a massive monstrous eagle, [These are known as Rocs] and when it approached it threw the body of a human at Jazun, in bunson form. This led the crew to engage the bird in combat and tethered him to the earth with Flora’s magic and the crew began to beat the bird into submission. Before the crew was able to finish the monster a bellowing voice was heard as another monstrous bird appeared.
In the chaos of the battle the second bird, sentient and capable of communication, spoke with them and attempted to defuse the situation. Once the parties settled, the birds agreed to the offer presented by Akali and the crew, that they would receive tribute in exchange for guarding the town of Wisperwynd and not stealing their livestock. [Later it was discovered that the female Roc was positioned defensively in front of her mate the entire conversation.]
The sentient female monstrous eagle let the crew know the body that was thrown at Jazun came from a local bandit camp - which struck a memory for Spixi and crew.
An opportunity to investigate the bandit camp was taken. The crew approached and setup a base camp in the jungle about a mile out from the camp they could spot. Seeing the freshly cut palisade walls that were recently set to protect the camp.
A plan was hatched to leave Lincoln with the mounts, Flora with Okam as he used his magic to spy on the camp, while Akali and Jazun used druidic powers to infiltrate alongside Spixi with her natural talents.
Akali and Jazun shifted into small lizards, Spixi snuck in, and Okam divined a way to view see the camp. Collectively, through lizard shenanigans, Spixi’s roguish stealth, and Okam’s magical divination the crew learned the equipment, numbers, and broad details of this bandit group. Learning the name “Exalted Fang” and through Spixi’s investigation of the commanders tent, that they had a battle map that appeared to plot an invasion into the swamp to the south.
The lizard crew managed to climb over, chew through the ropes to sabotage one of the platforms, and sabotage a ballista located on the wall of the camp.
Returning to the village of Wisperwynd and back to the Slumbering Hall, the crew regrouped and planned what to do with this new information. Shopping and equipping themselves with their spoils of their labor in preparation to assault the bandit camp.
The evening proved to be more eventful then they expected when hours later some of the mercenaries walked in to the Slumbering Hall and made their presence quite known. It didn’t take long for them to be grating enough to insult the crew and find themselves being put in their place. The fight that broke out involved the entire crew attempting to lead them outside as to not spill blood or break things within the Slumbering Hall.
They were mostly successful, until Okam used his magic to flit between the remaining men and slay them where they stood with his blade singing rapier. The last member standing outside of the front door was turned into a paste as Jazun vented his frustrations on the mercenary.
When the commotion settled, the tavern owner Patrick leapt into action and immediately calmed the crowd and explained exactly what everyone saw there. That Marsden, the leader of the group of mercenaries, started the fight and drew first. The crew, with Patrick’s assistance, cleaned up the bodies, looting them discretely, and restored the tavern to some semblance of normal in spite of the recent blood bath. Okam, an agent of chaos, along with Jazun put the bodies into a boat docked nearby, set it adrift, then set it ablaze with a fireball. Cremated the bodies and destroying some strangers boat.
In the aftermath of burning a strangers boat, Okam was approached by some irate and confused locals, who blamed him for faulty magic. Their claim was that Okam’s spell worked only partially and some sailors who hoped to breath under water, per the agreement of his service, ended up nearly drowning. Okam assured them that there was logic in how magic worked and that it was more an issue with the recipient than the caster, a physiological discrepancy. The crowd challenged this but ultimately opted to let it go and leave the situation as it was.
Patrick, in his placation of the customers called for the local sheriff Gildmak, who arrived in short order. The sheriff spoke with Patrick but his attention was also caught on to Akali as Gildmak was a halfling and Akali was the first he’d seen in some time. Conversations had with both of them, the Sheriff saw to the scene before he left.
The crew, in a show of good faith, began working the bar and entertaining for the evening. It was then that Jazun and Flora chose to step out for the evening for meditation and spiritual guidance. Leaving Spixi at the bar, sitting next to a stranger who apparently didn’t move once during the scuffle that took place directly behind him. After paying in some strange coins, later found to be of Kaldar minting, he left with an ominous message to Spixi and seemed to vanish at the door.
Jazun and Flora traveled out and went on a sort of spirit quest that allowed them that, from recounting, it’s hard to tell exactly what happened. Speaking with the stars, a deity called Heillandi, spectral visions of his cousin, a truly extraordinary trip, one may have to ask them about.
We sent Stefan ashore with a small shore party to collect our special officers, having him move through the town at night and should arrive right at dawn. When he found them though he was greeted by an invisible spectral hound that Okam had left to guard them while they slept. Viola had also sent her pet raven Sunny to find the crew in case Stefan were to fail, it turned out the raven found Flora and Jazun atop the cliff of the upper village.
Once the crew regrouped in the fields outside of the upper village, they asked Stefan for their equipment and found out that it was not on the ship itself. At which point Okam was drawn to open his grimoire and dump out the contents of it which included the gear they left behind. With equipment returned, Akali was inspired to attempt to signal the Rocs to further their diplomacy with Wisperwynd itself. Flora used her magic to send a message to Rainbreak to confirm the signal was seen, a one in twenty chance.
Hiking down the hill, through the village itself, and out to the longships to return to the Spectre. Returning to the ship and meeting some of the new crew and some of the upgrades to the ship.
[This is when I was introduced to them for the first time]
Reuniting with Viola to relay their findings of the area and the unfinished business in the village. The ship was beginning to restock from the local traders in Wisperwynd and Viola issued an open order for the crew to finish their business and to trample the bandit camp.
From what was discussed, the crew would take out part of the mercenary crew on the road to the camp then storm the camp itself.
The crew crushed the small group that was on their way into town to meet up with Marsden’s crew in a successful ambush.
Breaking down the front door to the bandit camp and immediately thrashing the mercenaries, seeing that Talshin has returned and was speaking with a wizard in the company. Their commander, Hassan. In the heat of the battle, was able to run Okam through with his sword and dropping him on the battlefield. Afterwards he retreated using a magical amulet to teleport away before the crew could outmaneuver him.
Flora was able to revive Okam from his unconscious state. Akali and Jazun teamed up on Talshin as he used his darkness and shadow magics to conceal himself and strike out at them - his darkness frustrating them until Flora was able to illuminate him with a powerful light spell.
Akali was able to beat Talshin into submission - as he lay vanquished, she broke his sword and executed him before adding his body to the pile of the corpses to burn.
Taking what they can, squaring away the functioning ballista, loading a wagon and taking some of the prisoners they took and heading back to Wisperwynd. Akali promised one of the mercenaries that he would be given work if he turned over a new leaf and returned so he traveled with them back to the Slumbering Hall.
That night the crew returned to the Slumbering Hall to meet with Viola and turn in their ballista and spoils of their raid on the Exalted Fang. Viola inquired to any unfinished business regarding the village, their recently acquired mate Lincoln, and if there were any pressing matters before they set out on their next voyage.
Speaking with the crew and drinking into the night, the crew relayed that Lincoln was a problem they picked up but wanted to keep near them until they sorted out whatever that was. That they had ended the threat of the Exalted Fang on the swamp and Jazun’s land was safe.
When most of the crew was good and toasted for the evening they returned to the ship for the night, Flora, Spixi, and Akali stayed behind at the tavern for a moment.
Flora contacted the female Roc, which was named Rainbreak, through magical means and proceeded to call in the favor that was promised. It turns out that during the original negotiation with the Rocs - Spixi had requested to be carried into the sky in order to experience flight.
Rainbreak was near enough that she made her way to the village and kept her promise and took Spixi and Flora into the sky and after a short but harrowing flight, she returned them to Akali at the tavern where Rainbreak noted her appreciation for Akali’s introduction.
Rainbreak set to the sky and left the three to return to their ship for the evening.
6/01/2022 to 9/28/2022
[First time observing the crew was remarkable. I had collected these stories from the other crew members, the first mate, and other officers - over the past days of sailing. All after Viola met with Vencia and took me along. They were not what I expected, but what could I expect?]
The crew returned to the ship the previous evening. As the ship set out into the Unstable Sea, they took to the ship like it was home. The new members of the crew, the ones that had joined since the incident, were caught off guard by how quickly they acclimated and set to working on their own projects. The sudden increase in quality of food with Akali back, the sight of Jazun working his bone-smithing craft at a newly crafted forge. The forge, a project of William’s, the dwarf master gunner. Spixi talking their ears off telling stories to all who will listen. [I may confess, myself particularly, at a small distance.]
Flora’s tasks were less defined and she seemed to be trying to help where she could. [Admittedly her reputation didn’t line up with how she held herself, she was a mystery to me]
The kobold in the aft of the ship had been cared for as a captive from the island, his future was in Viola’s charge but having heard the crew had survived Viola left the creatures fate up to Jazun. Jazun took his time to speak with the creature, learning about a sacred pickaxe and that the kobold’s name was Vek. The pickaxe was sacred to his people, stolen, and he tracked and stowed aboard the ship that took it. Using his talents to attempt to steal it back.
The discussion was odd to witness, Jazun continued to move between the kobold in the aft of the ship and other members of the crew, dragging a chair with him each time. He sought out Flora’s counsel before it seemed the creatures story was enough to persuade Jazun that he was no threat and ultimately Vek swore to serve the crew on some sort of probation or as Jazun said “until you fuck up or somethin’.”
Jazun took the kobold to Viola to explain and seek permission for this plan. Spixi was not thrilled about the kobold.
Sailing away from Wisperwynd had strong winds driving the Spectre as the settlement seemed to have a rainstorm starting when the Spectre left. The strong winds blew across the ship driving her forward at a great pace, the storm seemingly filling the sky behind her. The next day or so kept the storm behind the Spectre and the crew took the wind as a blessing but the strange weather as an omen.
On the day of the 22nd the winds shifted, and the storm began to overtake the ship and the captain called for hands to stations in order to ride out the storm. The course we had was true and time must be of the essence to force the storm and not turn off. It seemed the captain, first mate, and special officers knew where the Spectre was heading.
The storm overtook and the squall hammered us with rogue waves and abysmal darkness into the night as the water came down enough to obscure ones sight. Inside the ship, the crew lashed everything down they could.
Late in the night, there was a strange discourse above that could barely be heard through the grating and the deck. Supposedly a crew member named “Hawkeye” with an unfamiliar accent drew the attention of Spixi, Jazun, and the other special officers.
It was hard to make out the exchange, they must be in the crow’s nest…. After a scuffle, a dark shadow crept down the steps from the upper deck and covered the floor of the hold and seemed to be searching for something. Lincoln, who Jazun had lashed to the foremast support in the bow, was panicking and trying to break his binds. Vek could be heard as a dark coated individual stepped down into the hold and through the door. A shot hit him, from Vek, and within a blink of an eye Jazun was filling the door to the room.
The shadowy sailor in the dark blackcoat entered into the front of the ship and Jazun’s pursuits immediately turned back to the upper deck as the man must have magically left that part of the hold. [I was too slow and honestly not inclined to face the upper deck in this squall]
A battle ensued on the upper deck, rogue waves smashing into the ship, and in short order the whole ship was fighting aquatic monsters and fish warriors as the ship became rapidly overrun with them.
When the crew fought off the strange sword bearing aquans they set their sights on destroying the blackcoat sailor who seemed to want Lincoln. Shouting about a monster named Kuzaud and that the inevitable demise of the ships was coming. The crew absolutely wrecked the monsters and as the blackcoat sailor vanished and reappeared multiple times on the deck, sending crew members overboard and eventually through the grate the creature was decapitated by Jazun.
With a sudden lurch, the Spectre felt as if it would collapse into the wake as something lashed onto it and began to drag it down.
The body didn’t stay down long, it rose back up, enveloped in shadows, something entirely unnatural to this world. [At this point, I couldn’t imagine how the crew would deal with everything. I mustered up courage enough to climb the steps of the hold, I had to see.]
Massive tentacles held onto the Spectre and the crew, standing on the starboard side stared out into the darkness. An entirely unsettling screech, made way to the sound of a massive rogue wave washing over the deck, as the tentacles seized and released. Something hit the creature and the shadow clad sailor leapt overboard in a panic leaving behind Lincoln, the prize he sought. [My attention solely focused on them, I heard Jazun mention a massive creature with a man on its back before I retreated below to chronicle this.]
The rest of the night into the following morning was spent with the crew battling the storm, the worst of the storm over.
As the sun rose in the sky, the crew that weathered the storm was relieved of their post by the day crew - this included the special officers who remained awake through the hardship of the storm into the early morning. With a special breakfast prepared, the officers were given their reprieve for the day as Viola informed them that they should be at their destination by this evening.
A days rest and the early evening upon them, Jazun, Spixi, Flora woke and met to get the specifics of their next task. After they woke, they realized that Okam had been lost in the night, oddly as the other general crew members started looking for him the crew themselves displayed no concern. It would appear that Okam is otherworldly and that during the night a massive flash was seen before he vanished.
Odd that wasn’t more unsettling than it appeared, but the crew was off and preparing for the evening’s smash and grab. A high value target and a prison break is what was to come. [I’m rather impressed, they were only told “You’ll recognize them when you see them” as instructions. I couldn’t do what they do…]
The crew took the long boat and set out into the night, Jazun speeding the small vessel along at an unnatural speed with ease as they vanished.
The island was a small fortress on approach and they managed to find a small cavern on one of the beachheads so they made their way into that, hiding their boat and beginning their quest. With Spixi’s talents, Flora’s innate magics, and Jazun’s newly adapted druidic abilities, they were able to sneak past any groups of guards. Spixi veiled herself in magical invisibility, Jazun a rat form, and Flora the form of a ferret.
As beast form and with Flora’s druidic magics concealing them ever more so than their disguises, they passed without a trace through the cavern and into the main stone structure and onwards into the dungeon.
The dungeon was mostly empty but as people were discovered - Flora and Jazun ducked under tables and structures, while Spixi moved deftly around the outside. A mage, a cook, and a collection of guards were the first encountered. Jazun had developed a system of peaking under doors and tapping to relay the number of enemies. [That’s a clever tactic…]
After the crew found a room with a lever, a strange crystal, and a number of guards they waited patiently to monitor the room. After a few moments, there were shouts from the other main room summoning the guards to food. The mage, the cook, and all the guards moved out of the room, one shutting the door behind him. Spixi wasted no time in barring the door quietly and the group set to the investigation of the room.
The initial crystal was paired with an odd pyramid, given time and cunning, the crew learned that one held some magic that would swap the one who activated it’s personality with one from within the crystal and the other stone demanded a password. This lead to some confusion and hardship until Spixi placed her hand on the device and was replaced with a personality that spoke the password to the other stone in the set. This disabled some sort of field, the magics here were quite baffling. The door remained closed and the structure here was reinforced with rare metals…
After some time and urgency, the crew learned that the lever simply started a timer that when they committed to let it run out, the door opened for them.
Circumnavigating these challenges, the crew moved into the cells and found that there was not one person here but two. The crew met Emil and Eris. One a hulking figure with chains attached to him, another a willowier pirate lass. Both were imprisoned and apparently disarmed. Jazun took a liking to Emil as they spoke and Spixi felt it was Eris. The crew opted to simply bring both back to the ship to sort out. Using the crystalline keys, the crew freed both of them.
As they made their way back to the room with the lever and crystal, to exit out the door Spixi had bolted. Eris searched for her possessions and pulled out her gear along with a strange conch shell. Emil simply cast a spell and was made invisible, as he stepped past Spixi he said something unsettling to her.
After Emil stepped past Spixi there was a thunderous sound as the door to one of the side rooms was blown off its hinges, the following sound could only be described as gruesome. After the door slammed open, the table of guards leapt to their feet to respond, albeit flatfooted. As the crew discerned what happened Jazun sprung to action with Flora and Spixi right behind him. Emil, from what’s told, had brutally slain the Archmage, who the crew learned later, was named Galen Hawke.
The warden of this prison, was, according to the story, obliterated. The chains Emil carried on his wrists made of some foreign metal and his magics foreign. The crew wasted no time dispatching the guards, until only 1 was left and the other mage known as Callum created a magical wall of force that couldn’t be passed.
The door back to the surface was barred and sealed with magical means and on top of that it was behind a magical wall of force that none could break. The only move was to wait it out, until Emil stepped out, through his chains pointed his hand towards the wall and disintegrated it. This didn’t free them though, the door had a new challenge.
The crystal, like the previous, held a personality that demanded a pass phrase. This door kept them in there until the crew grew frustrated. When they were searching, Emil killed the last guard, gaining no new information. Flora was able to search the remains of the egotistical warden, and as Jazun guessed “Galen Rules” having learned the name of the Archmage warden, the door laughed but was uneasy about it. Flora was the one who relayed the last missing word that it was “Galen Hawke Rules” and that appeased the door.
Sneaking back up the stairs to the main room of the upper fortress they were able to view under the door that the archmage and a few other guards were waiting for them.
A blitzkrieg of sneaking through and under the door lead to the quick battle that resulted in the death of the deputy warden, Callum. [I was told the crew left the cook alive, as he was a non-combatant…]
Opening the door and seeing no others, the crew made a break for the beach utilizing their talents and magics. It was at this point where Emil broke north as the crew were heading southeast. Passing the opposite guard post and sneaking into their boats was when the crew spotted an armored soldier on the hill. Before he could call out, there was a thunderous sound and a flash as Emil decimated the man and ran down the beach.
As everyone boarded the longship and Jazun rushed them out into the surf, the sounds of forces rallying and the longbowman attempted to hit a moving target, in the darkness of the ocean’s night. On that hill, an armored individual stood, who appeared to glow with fury.
The crew left the island known as Cairnhold Stronghold with its only two prisoners.
Death is such a trivial thing, what happens when an Eladrin “falls” is always such a fun thought. Okam was caught off guard by that paladin who blasted him down to his knees… no… flat on his face! Haha! This is too delicious not to take advantage of. I’ll wait… He fell in battle, came close to “death”, of course Flora brought him back - she probably thinks he’ll tell her something…
Let’s begin then… I’ll use the Ashen Witch, we’ll recreate that game Vossinae plays with the mortals, and it appears that Okam is now fighting fish people, this is perfect!
The Ashen Witch will offer him ascension, after explaining his failures of course, and then he’ll be forced to play along like all those mortal souls do! Why is he taking so long to take her hand and doing the “ascension”… This… this is infuriating.
How is it that this Eladrin… knight… simpleton…. pain in my ass won’t see to reason and understand that the Queen won’t give him what he truly wants and that we should usurp her? How is he made of such disrespect and lack of vision?!
I put on a show, enlightened him, and he still stands to be foolish, there’s no helping it. Time to move on and assert that he is a failure to the Queen and seed his treachery.
As I send Okam back to that silly Mythrir, I shall speak out! “My queen, Okam has fallen in battle, fortunately he rose again thanks to the Feylin… but how can we trust someone so weak and his loyalty to you seems false and wavering. You sent him on a mission and he’s done nothing of it.”
In the early morning, the longboat rejoined the Spectre with the two new passengers, Eris and Viola seemed to know each other and Emil… [I know him… He’s a fugitive over the entire Khiton Empire, I wonder if the crew will ask me of what I know…]
Emil spoke briefly with Viola as the crew explained how they came upon these passengers, Viola and Eris immediately got to talking and had instructed Emil to be patient and that they’d drop him off at the next port. The man was hard to read, he seemed to be biding his time.
Eris presented the shell she had in her possession, claimed it had a purpose that she didn’t fully understand, and Viola presented it to the crew. First to Spixi to solve the puzzle perhaps, but then it found its way to Flora’s hands. After that point the crew had already been sailing out to open waters, the special officers seemed to have cabin fever? Jumping about and … playing… Flora uncovered some secrets about the shell and became the responsible party. [I saw her late at night, holding this strange shell and looking both focused and sometimes forlorn in thought. This doesn’t match the broken chaotic woman I was told about.]
The course was dictated by the shell and we spent the preceding days following it with Flora staying up late at night as that was the only time the heading was apparently possible. The crew suddenly took an interest in some of the general crew, Gregh getting some unusual attention and it appears Jazun and Okam didn’t realize they could command Arnold, the helmsmen at the time, to alter the ships course. [This gave me such a laugh to watch as poor Arnold was sweating in his uncertainty]
On the evening of the 27th into the 28th Flora noticed the shell had grown far louder and in the middle of the night. In the dark hours, Spixi seemingly spent time in the crow’s nest examining her sword.
The ship was roused, in the middle of the night, as we had reached the destination. In the open ocean, Jazun, Spixi, and Okam (now returned), all were summoned up to speak with Flora as she gestured that the destination as below. With magic cast granting, hopefully, the ability to breath, the crew leapt overboard and sank into the depths.
[The things they do… I am elated to be this close to these stories, but I would not jump this far out.]
Underwater the shell began to glow as the light grew dim. Sinking down to around five hundred feet the crew walked following the siren’s call until they found a series of shipwrecks. In the wreckage of many ships, of varying ages, the crew were attacked by a massive crab. After fending off the beast, which supposedly wrenched off its own arm which was holding Spixi to escape Jazun’s summoned pet and a Flora turned into a reef shark. [The strangeness of this is absurd, but I’m growing to see this is common aboard the Spectre.]
The crew having bested the crab and searched another ship uncovered a statue with four arms and three eyes, something they’ve never seen before.
The crew planted the shell into the hands of the statue which sprang to life and began leading them off into the depths further along. Patiently following this sentient stone creature until it reached an abyss, one that it immediately jumped off, leaving the crew to decide if they would follow. They did.
They descended over the edge into the darkest depths of the ocean, trekking down farther than any had gone before. They had traversed so far off the map at this point. Surrounded by darkness and now following the statue as the only light source and completely surrounded by the ocean’s void.
The statue eventually came to a halt as it had walked passed dilapidated structures that appeared to be so ancient no-one could date them. After the statue stopped the crew began to investigate it and noticed it was on a dais where it’s feet fit perfectly into place while two other sets of footprints remained. This stumped the crew for a bit, but Jazun decided to dig directly behind it.
With some persuasion, that oddly worked on the statue, the crew handed G-man the shell to use as light to assist Jazun. At this depth nobody could see through the darkness beyond a short distance, and Gregh did not have extraordinary sight being a human.
Flora gave those of the crew who couldn’t see well, a gift of sight, through her magical means.
Uncovering a pocket of gas that exploded and pushed Jazun back and cleared the sand from the fairly deep hole he dug, they uncovered an entrance to the structure.
Much of the structure was open and full of pockets of explosive gas, Spixi uncovered many as she explored rapidly. Uncovering some pottery and ancient pieces, the crew explored. Gregh took a few pottery pieces with artwork on them, just as Lincoln began to act strange and ask if the crew could “feel the power of this place” noting his change but also talking him down, the crew pressed on.
They uncovered a room with standing stones and a massive central crystal, Flora, Okam, Lincoln, and Gregh began investigating it. Jazun began clearing the next entrance of rubble as Spixi slipped through and uncovered a segment of ancient artwork that depicted a story.
The civilization prospered, then created a barrier to defend itself from a massive darkness that consumed all around the barrier. After she finished, she started to relay it to Jazun, as they entered back into the room with the others as Okam lashed out at one of the standing stones with spells in sequence. Triggering all the stones destroyed the crystal and the room instantly flooded as the corrupted water overtook them all and immediately poisoned all but Jazun.
The standing stones imbued with arcane magics were struck by Okam with his magic infused sword in order to trigger a chain reaction that cause magic to pour out of the standing stones and to spark to life and fixate on the centralized crystal.
As the energy coalesced into the stone, the unknown creature inside seemed to move, as a sudden crack gave way to foul water that began to swirl and fill the space. In the darkness of the murk and befouled water, Okam seemed to vanish.
The water poisoned and obfuscated the room and turned everyone’s attention from the previous room filled with hieroglyphics and drew them towards the fight they now faced.
A terrible screeching could be felt, not heard, as the monster reached out on a telepathic wavelength and filled their minds with a cacophony of sound. Pushing past the poison and the muck to fight the creature. Working in the dark, disgusting foul water, and through persistence the crew brought. down the creature. It appeared to be trying to communicate in a language non could speak and with intent that dripped with malice.
Once the creature died, the water began to clear, albeit slowly. Flora pulled the group together and began removing any afflictions she could find. Gregh found himself suffering fully to the poison and facing near death until Flora magically healed him. This journey into the ocean will be one he never forgets.
Moving back into the room, now without Okam as he had strangely disappeared again, the reviewed the carvings on the wall before finding a barrier that barred their path, Jazun broke through it.
Entering into the next segment of the undersea ruins, the crew uncovered more rooms all with artwork depicting more of the story of the people who inhabited this place. A trident was constantly referenced throughout along with pictures of strange shapes devouring a barrier and ruining the land around.
Entering into a smaller space with another of the multi-limb statues which appeared to be guarding over a strange shape on the floor, the crew lifted open the floor to uncover a strange trident which could only be the one from the depictions.
With the trident in hand they pushed on deeper only to uncover more strange markings on the walls and that the depictions were defaced, more formless creatures depicted and more dark creatures with lashing tendrils began to mark the rooms. As they entered into a room with a dark pit Spixi made her way to peer down into it, Flora decided she was done with all the dark and shadow and cast a spell that brought daylight to the small stone room.
In the newly summoned daylight, Jazun and Flora immediately noticed a small wisp of darkness over Spixi’s shoulder as she started down into the pit. This drew an immediate sense of urgency as Flora and Jazun went to strike out at the offending wisp.
Spixi nimbly tried to avoid being hit on accident and continued to dance around trying to discern what was happening. When several things appeared to happen at once. Spixi froze as if something told her to hold and then Jazun with a deft strike of the newly acquired trident was thrown off his balance as an unnatural strength shot through her and sent the big man sideways.
The sword began to writhe in darkness and shadows lashed out from her hand and overtook her arm, shoulder, then the rest of her as the shadow enveloped her and a strange haze overwhelmed her.
Jazun caught his balance and went to wrench the sword from her hand and with overwhelming strength he did so, freeing it as it flew through the water only to be lashed onto by a tendril of darkness, bringing it back to Spixi’s hand.
Spixi stepped through shadow and found herself by the door, turned, and faded into the darkness of the undersea ruins, leaving Jazun and Flora with Lincoln and Gregh to stare at each other.
Flora immediately sent a magical missive to Viola.
A darkness overtook Spixi, as she rushed through the water at an unnatural pace.
Jazun set to task to find their missing and now possessed friend, Flora shifted forms into that of a shark, with Lincoln and Gregh in tow they began to search the previous rooms. Following their instincts first and soon the voice of Spixi that now permeated the ruins as if magically amplified by the very shadows around them.
Spixi’s voice called out and taunted them, haunting their steps, goading them to find her, it was not her usual cadence, tone, or spirit, it was bitter and cold.
In a large room with what appeared to be a stairway that lead to the ceiling, the crew was surprised when a disturbed gas bubble ruptured and a hole was formed, the ceiling which was the floor of the room above broke and in the dust that floated through the space, coins and treasure began to float down.
When Jazun and Flora first swam up and through, they looked out into the vast depths of the deep and saw nothing but darkness. Flora returned to her normal form as she settled onto the ground outside the room.
When Gregh swam up, carrying something, the possessed form of Spixi leapt out of the darkness and took him hostage at dagger point.
What happened next was a flurry of chaos - unnatural dark chains, lashing tendrils, strange powers emanating from Spixi’s form as she struck at each of them. Her voice goading and insulting as she continued to lash Flora with the chains that continued to bind her down. Jazun continued his battle to disarm and stop this possessed Spixi, with some mighty strikes, some finding some incredible purchased on her shadow wreathed form.
After one remarkable strike, Spixi’s possessed form lashed out back at him and with a nimble strike of the claws that formed on her hand she carved into Jazun- it appeared the claws did damage both physically and mentally.
Gregh, at every chance he got, attempted to break the strange red crystals they had found in order to heal Flora and Jazun, when he wasn’t - he tried desperately to fight in formation with them.
Lincoln, still afflicted by the poison, could not seem to catch the possessed form of Spixi, he moved as tactically as he could underwater with them, grabbing hold of the dark form once but seeing that his unique abilities were all resisted, everything the companions did was resisted.
This battle repeated as each side continued to wear each other down, the shadow form teleporting, chaining, and repeatedly jumping in for strikes finally slowed when Flora summoned spiritual guardians and the crew circled up forcing a standoff between the dark creature and the crew now shrouded in radiant protection.
It was at this point where the dark form of Spixi appeared within the circle of light and as the shadow was briefly forced back by Flora’s guardians but only a glimpse. The sword was knocked free of her hand. As it floated to the sea floor, Flora smashed her foot into it holding it down - with intent to break it if possible.
Jazun, pushing past Flora’s foot, grabbed the blade and lifted it up. Something seemed to speak to Jazun as he paused for just a moment before he tried to use the sword to cut back the darkness from his friend. The sword, seemingly failed him, Jazun was tired and pushed himself beyond himself and lashed out once more with the sword, focusing and yet - it failed him again.
It was in this moment that the shroud around Spixi hid itself behind her and Spixi, appeared herself, begged “Jazzy” to end this. Jazun’s relentlessness kept him standing through the physical exertion. The darkness wrapped around Spixi as she slipped just outside of Flora’s magic, the monster returned.
Flora, having been chained down repeatedly, stood in defiance and broke her chains. Pushing the guardians and her magic to lash out at the shadow creature that fought the radiant energies of her magic. With a determined whip of a magical lash, Flora pulled Spixi’s form back into her influence and the darkness was burned away as Spixi and the shroud appeared to burn from radiant fire.
The creature separated itself from Spixi and was ripped apart by Flora’s magical influence and their friend was freed of the darkness, but her eyes shut as she floated down and they did not open again.
With Spixi comatose, Jazun and Flora attempting to recover as they stood at the bottom of Unstable Sea, they rested as best they could. During that rest, Gregh had picked up some items throughout the area, and as they watched every corner of the area they could see with bated breath and fierce determination, they were surprised by a flash of light.
Okam, as he is known to do, returned to them floating down to the sea floor. He apparently had been pulled to some strange frozen wasteland directly after he triggered the stone columns back in the ruins. Now he stood as the most rested member of the crew.
Flora summoned her strength and provided as much healing as she could, before she used her magics to cast a spell that would allow them to walk on water, which at this depth, would cause them to rise to the surface.
The spell she began to cast, could not have been better timed, as strange crustacean beings began to move in their direction like hungering bottom feeders.
As they lifted off towards the surface they could see the creatures swarm beneath them.
The crew rose slowly and as they hit the depth where light began to shine through they were able to see marine life around them, never truly knowing what was outside their immediate circle when they were down below, now that threat was lessened as they could at least see further.
The following hour could only be described as chaos, luck, and once in a lifetime.
Breaching the surface, Jazun spoke with fish, naming some form of Sea Bass “Jeff” and the school of sunfish… For whatever reason Jazun was convinced he knew the way regardless of the sun being overhead and no real way to determine direction. Walking on the top of the water suddenly seemed less surprising.
The crew was attacked by long neck monsters. Okam killed most of them, almost instantly, then Jazun actually wrangled one, when the threat was believed gone, Flora cast another spell and made a massive creature glow as Jazun attempted to take the long neck creature and turn it into some kind of mount, he bailed to the side.
The massive whale bit and ripped the head off the long neck that Jazun had attempted to wrangle. Then he spoke to that too!
Removing a harpoon then riding on the back of the whale, we traversed in the direction Jazun had pointed out until we saw sails on the horizon.
The whale dropped the crew off near to the boat and then disappeared beneath the waves, how any of this came to be is absurd, but they were all alive to tell the tale, mostly alive.
When aboard the ship, Jazun handed the sword over to Viola. Gregh emptied his pack to reveal platinum pieces and ancient coins worth a fortune that he had recovered in their stead, and Flora immediately took the sword into her hands wanting to communicate with it how Spixi and Jazun had.
The sword burned her, the metal hazardous to her, she spoke to the sentient blade and they learned about one another, or so it seemed.
10/05/2022 to - 12/28/2022
The days that followed were strange, the rest of the crew of the Berserk Spectre set to their tasks and their routines. Gregh was tense and generally uncomfortable as he processed the absurdity of the adventure he went on. Taking in his story and adding the details into my logs. Lincoln returned to his brooding.
Jazun seems to have gone to work fashioning adjustments to his weapon and then getting into the finery of crafting armor for the seagull he calls Jim. The kobold Vek seemed to be tending a box of strange beetles that Jazun had had aboard the ship in order to work his bone-craft.
Flora is hard to read and even though keen eyes were kept on the crew, it appeared she found herself crafting art and reaching out to Okam, they spoke of something, maybe a lecture or chance to learn, it’s hard to say from a distance.
Okam ever the trickster seemed to keep the crews energies up, whether intently or not, he entertained the crew.
Akali had taken over watching over the comatose Spixi, under order of Viola, Spixi was left to rest.
Towards the end of the day, Okam was seen asking Viola for the sword again, something was going on with that weapon and the rumor is that it can talk and that it burns Okam and Flora when held.
The night was pleasant and it seems the crew was able to rest. When the night crew set about their tasks, everything felt right; as it would on a ship with good wind, skilled crew, and open ocean. This solace was broken when the crew was greeted by a massive lurch as the ship hit something and the brightness of the noon-day sun blinded most.
The Berserk Spectre was beached, in response the crew began to assess the ship and it’s predicament. Viola ordered Flora and Jazun to scout the nearby jungle and sent Eris to oversee this task in lieu of Spixi who was still comatose. A simple task to explore the jungle lead somewhere else.
Traveling through the jungle and following a magical pull of druidic nature - Jazun lead with his catfish focus and lead them through the jungle past strange illusory vines and plants and on towards a clearing in the jungle.
The clearing had a prominent guardian standing in it, one who witnessed the crew, calling out in challenge was a strange giant. Covered in foliage and a mighty beard with a great weapon. The crew approached and seemingly caught this guardian off guard as they began to ask questions about the island, about this jungle, where they were, who he was. Naming himself “Jisag” he seemed confused that they lacked their purpose.
All who approach Jisag would challenge him in order to enter the Tomb of Noribo, the archdruid.
None seemed to understand this, but the sense that this man would not let them pass without a fight was overpowering.
The giant braced himself and the fight began, hurling boulders, swinging his mighty weapon. Leaping between them, and the test of battle was in full.
During the swift fight, Jisag relayed that only one other ever bested him in combat, and when things became dire for him and death was looming, Jazun switching his greatsword into the great axe form in order to break the giants leg, to knock him down, began to subdue the giant born. Disarming the
Sparing his life, they sat with him, confusing the giant. Jisag presumed they would have killed him in order to pass to enter the Tomb, everything was abnormal, nothing was as it seemed.
In the aftermath of their fight, Jisag relayed very little other than his purpose as a guardian and that others challenged him in order to gain access to the Tomb of Noribo behind him. They rested and as they rose and Jisag let them pass, he urged them to make haste into the tomb as the forest was coming alive and would soon overrun them.
This caused Jazun to about-face as Jisag had made that a very interesting call to battle. The term “glorious death” was used by Jisag to explain what would be his fate. The crew stayed with Jisag and then large tree like beings stepped out of the forest and began to attack them. The crew engaged the forest monsters and began to make quick work of the tree creatures. Jisag fought with them and battle bond began to form between the crew and Jisag, unexpectedly.
Once the tree monsters were felled the crew dusted themselves off and walked to the entrance of the tomb, bringing Jisag along. The door they found had no clear means of entry and Okam was able to discern that the door had multiple arcane locks, very complex. Okam solved the first lock in a matter of minutes with his intellect and moved on to the second lock but was immediately stumped.
While Okam and the others were looking at the door and it’s lock, Jazun had looked over at his shoulder to see Jisag walking away, as they had that moment he realized the others turned to look as well. When they watched Jisag vanish into what appeared to be a haze they realized, that shouldn’t have happened, another odd moment.
As they tried to tackle the challenge of the locks, they realized that Flora and Eris seemingly had no memory of Jisag, that they had traveled up the beach and were now here is all they recalled. Flora used her restorative magics to cleans the memory fog from them as they set their task back to the door.
When the locks complexity and their magical nature overwhelmed them and Okam grew frustrated he struck the door, something seemed to click in his mind, and in seeing this Jazun began to do the same. Soon they realized that striking the door increased their cognitive reasoning and they began to work the ever more complex remaining locks. Pushing through the three remaining locks with near god like intellect they opened the door.
Stepping through the entrance riding the wave of increased cognition Okam and Jazun began to quickly observe the next room. Pushing past the stones statues, finding a hidden door with seemingly no mechanism and then a sacrificial bowl. As their intellect returned to normal, they began to experiment in the room.
Taking organic material from tomb walls, plant life, soil, etc and then casting a bit of druidcraft on it seemed to spring to life a whirlwind of leaves which circled the room and formed into a man, the man named Noribo.
The spirit of Noribo addressed the crew, expressing to them the challenge that they face. They are to descend into his tomb, claim the staff that is sealed away at the end. The power within would grant them the power of an Archdruid, a divinely powerful being of nature.
This, again, confused the crew as they had only ventured into the jungle to scout but now found themselves here. Their confusion lead to his confusion, he shrugged, they’d done the first step so might as well let them try the next part.
Noribo started with a few riddles, which took a matter of minutes to get passed and then he waved his hand and the door behind the crew opened. As they looked at the door, when they returned their gaze to Noribo he was gone.
Before they were able to leave the room though, the statue before the door, rose up, in a defensive stance.
Okam dubbed the guardian “Bob” even though the guardian introduced himself as “Jeremy” the statue attempted to stop them from passing, through some shenanigan's and deception they were able to get past and destroy the statue.
The crew made short work of distracting and then slipping past Jeremy but when spells began to be cast, strange wild magics surged forth, a phantasmal dragon was summoned, people were made invisible, teacup mice were summoned.
Breaking the statue and supposedly killing “Bob”/”Jeremy” the crew pressed on hastily (fleeing the phantasmal dragon) only to find Jeremy was invisible and following.
Going through a cave they dropped a teacup dormouse only to have it become a Dire Wolf sized mouse - which Jazun instantly subdued and forcibly tamed.
Entering into a side structure of the cave, the crew paused to drink some free potions labeled “drink me”, all but Jazun. Okam was hasted, Flora shrunk, and Eris grew.
Moving into the next room with an obelisk and waterfall doors.
Solving the eye challenge they opened the first door to the east and explored. Jazun uncovered large pod monsters with large central eyes, one was destroyed and the spore cloud it released hurt but only seemed to drastically impact Okam.
Closing that door and opting to leave that behind, they debated on North and South where Eris and Jazun found themselves in a disagreement that quickly became irrelevant as the the Southern fountain appeared to not have a door. They were able to push on north.
The crew pushed north into the next room and uncovered a series of large vines and plant life in the stone room. A fountain with a magical sphere of water was prominent in the middle of the room. Inside that sphere was a chest or box of some kind. Exploring the corners of the room they uncovered similar chests covered by the large root like vines.
As they explored the disembodied voice of Jeremy called out to them and heckled them, much to Okam’s irritation. Leading to an incredible firebolt spell that managed to briefly uncover the faerie dragon before it vanished again. Eris and Jazun attempted to grab the box out of the center sphere, but the magic kept them out.
Jazun first threw a javelin at it which passed the water and stuck to the chest, he couldn’t pry the box out even with leverage. Eris set her eyes to the other boxes and called upon her magic to peer into them, remarking that they’re empty and that there was a room to the further north but what lay inside was dark and impossible to see. Pulling the chests free of the vines Jazun and Okam opened the first chest with no effort he was immediately hit in the face with a strange key.
As Jazun looked into the box he saw a large squirrel which had been the one that threw the key at him, it scampered out of the box and ran out the exit. Jim, the seagull companion, gave chase. Studying the key briefly, then moving to uncover and free the other box from the other corner of the room, they pried it loose and opened the box.
This time a large hummingbird flew up and offered for a key, this time gently, to Okam. Okam took the key and as he did so the hummingbird attempted to headbutt him, missing, it flew rapidly towards the exit. Okam was unable to react but as they watched the beast fly to the door, Jim was on the return. With a quick beak attack and a strike with his one leg, the hummingbird exploded into ash. Two keys now, lead them to the north wall where they saw three key holes.
This led to them setting their sights back on the box in the central fountain. Investigating the fountain led to two keyholes on each side that seemed to react to the unique keys they had found. A brass key, a silver key, both used to turn the locks and dispel the magical water sphere. As Jazun moved to open the chest, counting on his ability to sense danger to avoid any other surprises, he opened the chest and rapidly lifted his arms ready to catch or block whatever may fly out. When nothing happened, and the chest lay empty, confusion set in for a few minutes. The disembodied voice of Jeremy called out “oops” and then from above a key materialized and bounced off Jazun’s head before he caught it. A shining golden key glistened in the light cast from the far room to the south.
They moved to unlock the northern wall. With all three keys reacting to their unique locks, they turned the keys and opened the door to the north. Entering the next segment of the tomb. The room before them had the same stonework as the rest of the tomb, but with far more vines and strange plant life. At the center of the room was a large stone sarcophagus which appeared to have vines puncturing into the sides. On the far end of the room appeared to be a column with a statue attached and, as they approached, a staff in the hands of the wooden statue. The staff was unnatural, it appeared to be made of metal that moved like water but maintained its shape, it perpetually looked as if it was a flower made of shiny platinum or steel or silver. Its iridescence gave it a sense of intrigue, yet as druids find metal anathema in many cases this was strange.
Flora watched the crew to see what they would do, the staff was what the strange druidic spirit of Noríbo wanted them to find. The two with druidic backgrounds being herself and Jazun, watching to see who might act. When they all seemed to be waiting, Flora took the staff in hand, and watched as the statue holding it opened its mouth to shriek.
The shriek lead to a channeling of power and then a sickly green bolt of lightning shot from the statues arm, as Flora pulled the staff free and stepped aside, the bolt careened into the sarcophagus. The energy cracked the stone lid and then rumbling was felt as the lead broke open and a large plant creature emerged. It’s body covered in vines and the immediate smell of rot and death filled the room, the flower lay covered in skulls and bones, it’s central mass an open maw of rotting fluid.
The thorny vines began to lash out at all in the room. The crew reacted quickly to the violent display and began to chop into the plant and break off pieces, in the first few moments the plant smashed the dormouse that had become large from the previous room, and then sent a tentacle down into the sarcophagus fishing for something. As the crew carved into the plant and began to obliterate it with their magic, the form of Noríbo appeared in the corner and beseeched them “Don’t let it desecrate my body” as the plant creature pulled out a skeleton that appeared to keep the long flowing beard that Noríbo had.
The timing of that request was ill-timed as they were given no time to react as the plant creature consumed it. The crew redoubled their efforts and began to rend the plant creature as it stopped moving. The creature seemed to be dead and its body settled on to the floor and the vines stopped moving, as it moved through it’s death throws it’s mouth opened. The spirit of Noríbo began to rise, as the plant body disintegrated and became detritus.
As the spirit rose, it began to shift, and energy flew around it, as it began to shine, a new form put its foot onto the muck and the form of a shining, green skinned, elven looking creature clad in shining opulent dress with gold on every piece, began to elegantly step down from the creature and up to the statue which had previously held the statue.
“I hope you all enjoyed the quest, I felt a dramatic entrance was a must.” He turned to face them. “I know, as the old man, I promised you to keep the staff and become some kind of druid, shaman, thing, but I will be needing it. That is why I had you steal it for me.” The conversation was short and one sided, Magnificent wanted Flora to hand him the staff and he would take the sword Okam possessed as well.
Jazun, using the power of his Drekahúfa helmet to use thaumaturgy to drown out Magnificent’s voice. When Okam openly mocked him, Magnificent uttered a word and the Eladrin slumped to the floor, dead.
This began a very one-sided fight. The crew lashing out with magic and force, Jazun becoming disabled by the Fey magic, Flora denying him the item he wanted, and Eris running the corner of the room attempting to use any and all of her spells and tricks to hurt the creature. Their combined effort clearly damaged Magnificent but this place seemed to be under his control.
He snapped his fingers and Eris disappeared, he then turned to Flora and with arching lightning as if from a witch bolt began to push her to the brink. He uttered out another spell which seemed to bring Eris back and Flora saw as Eris and more importantly Jazun, slumped to the floor with lifeless eyes. Flora had seen Jazun withstand incredible strikes, but this magic circumvented that.
In the aftermath, with witching bolts between Flora and Magnificent, he stopped the spell. Stared at her for a moment, then fished into his pocket and handed her a small collection of diamonds which glowed with a faint light. “Your magic is spent, so here… use these to revive your friends. Go on now, take your time, I will wait.”
Flora took the offer and used the diamond she had previously had Stefan acquire for her for this emergency and the last bit of magic she could to bring Jazun back from the brink first. She used the offered materials and magic to revive the others, but Okam, Okam could not be brought back.
As she worked her magic, she asked questions of Magnificent, trying to understand all the games and lies he told. They talked back and forth, Jazun and Eris essentially trapped by their weakened state. Returning from near death only to be a flick of the wrist away from death again. Yet something was rejuvenating them, a small warmth, something unseen, not clear, but a slow trickle of rejuvenation.
This conversation commanded the attention of the room. Magnificent praised himself for the ruse, “Noríbo, Oberon, felt terribly clever.” Further cementing who and what he was and that his power was of an Archfey. Oberon explained the staff belonged to the Queen of the Fey, until they stole it just now, that he could not take it from her due to “courtly rules and the like” but that he needed someone who could.
Further that Flora had still failed to learn that the world of the Fey would not be her home, that she would be miserable, that she would need to be far crueler than she is now.
She could take his hand, return to the fey realm now with him, and live there as nothing more than a puppet or plaything for the court to amuse itself with. That she would return to her “home” and find that all she knows and loves in this land of Mythrir, this mortal plane, would die in a blink of an eye.
Being that she is Feylin, or half-fey, she should never have lived past her childhood. She was an anomaly and something that has very little chance to ever be, yet here she is.
When Flora finally gave in and handed over the staff to Oberon, he smiled but also looked at Flora with an eerie sense of hope.
In the meantime, Jazun had set his focus to hunting for an opportunity to strike at Oberon, watching as a hunter does. The warmth radiating over him, which Eris seemed to recognize that not only was she recovering but he was as well, she watched for him to act.
It was in the moment that Oberon stepped back from Flora, with the staff in hand, that he turned to her advising that she see that the fey realm is no friend to her, no home, no place to return to.
A hand outstretched towards where Okam’s body vanished summoned the sword he held towards Oberon.
It was in this moment that the entire encounter changed, the sword reached his palm and then immediately burned his flesh. The cold iron of Starshatterer, something both Okam and Flora experienced, was now his to feel. This momentary pain was exactly what Jazun wanted.
Grabbing his slash-hammer and rising up to slam the head of the hammer into the gut of the Archfey, causing him to double over, then reconfiguring the mechanism to switch to the great sword to push him down.
Eris sprang up and immediately set to spell work, smashing her spells into the Archfey as he began to double over, working in tandem with Jazun.
The sword slid to the ground and away from Oberon. Flora reached out and took the staff from his hands and pried it free.
The three of them, took this opportunity to strike, but as Flora tried to use the staff to coat her hand in necrotic magics, the staff shook and from its handle the metal wrapped around her hand and she found her magics shifting as the ground before them lashed out in an entangling spell the seemed to be heightened.
Oberon, rising to his feet, spat blood. As Jazun swung hard at him, Oberon caught the weapon and stopped it, immediately materializing something into his hand and then jamming it into the weapon, embedding it deep and cracking pieces of it. “You brought her home, job well done.” He sneered and pushed the weapon away.
Then in what looked like a moment of mania, held his hands up and shouted “It appears these trinkets and relics are not mine to have… so be it. Take them! Destroy your world, just like before! It matters not, I wanted only what the Queen had and now that I’ve had it, it’s lost all appeal.”
As they went to lash out at him, the world around them shifted as if oil on a painting running down. Their vision blurred, their sense of orientation flipped and flitted, and they began to fall into darkness.