Korruk
Visitor
Name: Korruk Logar Race: Orc Class/Level: Paladin 2 XP: 480 Maximum HP: 21 Alignment: Lawful Good
Posts: 98 
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Post by Korruk on May 10, 2022 6:46:37 GMT
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Post by Humble Chris on May 10, 2022 14:30:38 GMT
As Cyrus, Korruk and Lavandul approach the derelict ship, they find themselves walking amongst a carpet of refuse and debris. Barrels, crates and heavy burlap sacks lay scattered on the beach, some of them smashed open and their contents spilled out onto the sand. Most of them contain dried foodstuffs and hardtack, indicating they must be from the ship's larder. A few decaying bodies litter the exterior of the ship, but none of them bear any sign of being implanted with eggs.
The gaping hole in the ship is large enough to pass through if the crew crouch, and the dark interior stinks of rot and the sea. Lavandul, with their darkvision, can see the outlines of a few crates jutting out of the water inside the ship, along with a body bobbing facedown on the surface. Along the sides of the interior are shelves and alcoves for the cargo to go, most of it seeming to be supplies for the voyage. A set of stairs about halfway along the interior seem to lead upwards.
High above the trio, the dark clouds begin to rumble and the first heavy droplets start to fall.
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Post by Lavandul on May 11, 2022 18:33:19 GMT
"Couldn't have been an hour already for rain," Lavandul muttered, between digging through the body and fighting the chuul. The timing of the spell with exploring the beach had been pushed to its limits, and after processing the corpses they recognized they probably could have hustled a little faster. Ice coated the entry of the ship as they blankly stared.
"There's a strong source of magic on board. I can evoke the spell again to find it properly so we can leave before the storm arrives. We need to get the ashes back to the families. We have no way of knowing if there are more with the tide."
They were done for the day. Between a storm rolling in, their fear of water, and still processing how much had been stripped from them since The Incident, they weren't looking for further adventure. Without the mask it would have been apparent the eladrin was pouting.
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Post by Humble Chris on May 11, 2022 20:57:46 GMT
Sifting through the overturned crates and debris, the trio plunge into the depths of the ship, where they find at the stern of the cargo hold a large, heavy wooden chest waiting them. The chest went up to their knees, but was made of a thick boards of oak and bound with iron. On the face of the chest, holding the lid and body together, was a large locking device. The space for a key looked to be a partial image of a relief - a circular image of a sun and part of a beast of some kind. The gap in the image formed an indent where the rest of the piece could slot.
All along the face of the chest are deep scratches which look to have been caused by claws of some kind. It looked as though the chuul might have been attracted to whatever lay inside.
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Korruk
Visitor
Name: Korruk Logar Race: Orc Class/Level: Paladin 2 XP: 480 Maximum HP: 21 Alignment: Lawful Good
Posts: 98
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Post by Korruk on May 12, 2022 5:43:49 GMT
“They wanted whatever was in here it seems.”
The Orc’s darkvision was working to help him keep his footing, and not get lost in the bowels of the ship.
“Lock looks elaborate. Haven’t seen a key - but if we want it maybe we can crack the chest open the hard way.”
Apes strong together.
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Post by Cyrus on May 12, 2022 7:17:55 GMT
Cyrus grunted, peering around the dark room. He held his hand aloft and murmured once more in Celestial, and light began to pour off his greatsword to fill the room. "Chuul's pretty fuckin' strong. Might a tough break, especially if they were transporting magic. Come on. Let's look about for the key, Korruk. And Lav, you're an outdoors person, aren't you? Think you can patch some of this up enough to make half-decent shelter for the night?"
Nobody liked sleeping cold. Not even the Red Saint.
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Post by Humble Chris on May 12, 2022 14:21:08 GMT
As Cyrus and Korruk searched around the cargo hold, they found the body of a young tiefling who could have only been one of the cabin boys. With gentle care, they overturned the boy and found a heavy brass key in one of his pockets. It was a key Cyrus recognized as the sort given to the Captain's Cabin Boy for his master's private room.
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Post by Lavandul on May 14, 2022 1:23:26 GMT
As Cyrus suggested the shelter, the wood creaked with the ice expanding between it. Dominé Lavandul made a noise between a growl and a whine as they wordlessly accepted their fate, devoting the next hour to bordering up the hull to avoid any nasty surprises.
They really wanted to ignore sense and suggest that if they just hustled a bit they could make it back to the Mother's Pride. They would rather be seasick in a storm than at the mercy of rising tides.
Their knowledge carried them further than their attention to the present, hands shaking with sick or mounting fear as they worked their Cantrip.
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Post by Cyrus on May 15, 2022 5:19:02 GMT
Cyrus lifted up the key with a big grin.
"Well, would you look at that."
With a nod toward the back of the ship where the captain's quarters were, he led the way to unlock the door and take a look around in there. A locked space might be in better condition, with finer quarters to spend the night at the very least.
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Post by Humble Chris on May 15, 2022 14:11:49 GMT
The trip to the captain's quarters took the trio up on deck, where they could see the storm clouds gathering ever more in the sky above. From here, it was easier to get a look at the damage of the ship. The mast had snapped from its foundation and laid across the deck and onto the beach on the opposite side from where Cyrus, Lavandul and Korruk made their approach. Rust stained the iron clamps and supports, whilst green mold and mildew spread over wooden components like the markings of a plague. The sea was beginning to claim her, and it would not take long.
Towards the back of the ship was a captain's cabin, with two stairwells on either side leading up to the bridge and the helm. The door they sought rested in a shallow alcove to protect it from the elements; and thus far it seemed to be the most intact and unaffected piece of the ship.
Cyrus took the key he had liberated from the boy and tested it in the waiting lock. She fit without a fuss and the tumblers clicked in response to his turning, but when Cyrus went to open the door it moved only an inch before catching on something that halted its progress.
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Korruk
Visitor
Name: Korruk Logar Race: Orc Class/Level: Paladin 2 XP: 480 Maximum HP: 21 Alignment: Lawful Good
Posts: 98
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Post by Korruk on May 17, 2022 5:13:34 GMT
Korruk stayed alert, watching Cyrus wade and move through the hull of the ship - finding something that did more than force would have accomplished.
“Second lock? Trick mechanism? Or is something inside?”
The Orc mused out loud for both himself and his compatriots so they could create a plan of attack from here.
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Post by Cyrus on May 17, 2022 5:39:40 GMT
"Feels like something blocking it. Here. Give me a hand, we'll shove it aside."
Lining up their shoulders together and putting their backs into it, the Aasimar and Orc got to shoving.
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Post by Humble Chris on May 17, 2022 18:14:57 GMT
Cyrus and Korruk strained against the heavy weight concealed by the door, pushing whatever it was back by inches. When a half foot of clearance was won, the pair were treated to the sound of something heavy clattering on the floor and the weight suddenly gave way. The door flew without resistance and knocked against the wall. Both men stumbled a step in the direction of the room, only to stop short of tripping on the heavy shelves and chair that lay on the wooden floor before them. The room beyond was spacious yet spartan; a space more for duty than leisure. A narrow bookcase and some shelves were filled with books and scrolls, and the table against the wall was laden with maps and an open book on navigation. The rest of the furniture looked to be piled in the center of the room in the shape of a makeshift barrier of bookcases, chairs and the officer's mess table. From behind the pile of debris a disheveled human figure emerged and took aim at the party with a crossbow. The figure's eyes were wide with a mix of terror and madness; his beard and hair long and unkempt. "S-Ssss-Stay back!!" the man's voice was hoarse and unsteady. "Wha-whu-who-ho arrre ye?! Who ss-si-sa-sent ya?!" |
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Korruk
Visitor
Name: Korruk Logar Race: Orc Class/Level: Paladin 2 XP: 480 Maximum HP: 21 Alignment: Lawful Good
Posts: 98
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Post by Korruk on May 18, 2022 14:43:04 GMT
"We are here by charter of Lorenzo Altia,"
The Knights voice was authoritative.
"Put that crossbow away - we are neither monster nor brigand, we are here to aid the survivors."
From the stutter and the fact the man was locked away Korruk was going to make the leap in logic that he was crew, hoping the merchants name was the first step to disarming the situation and the second ensuring that they weren't going to maul him on site.
If he pulled the trigger though? Between the screeching and thud of the hammer he wasn't sure there would be much of the man left to save.
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Post by Humble Chris on May 24, 2022 13:55:31 GMT
The old sea dog's hands trembled, making the crossbow rattle in his unsteady grip. Finally, he lowered the crossbow and let it drop to the ground with a resounding clatter. Wide, frightened eyes welled with tears and his chest heaved as he tried to force words out of a dried mouth that refused to cooperate. "La-la-la-lo-Lorenzo?" his voice was out of practice and incredulous, "I du-du-doubt the-the-tha-that bassssstard even the-tho-thought aba-ba-ba-bout survivors. He just wa-wantss the ga-ga-goods."
He spat on the floor. "He ca-ca-can haaaave it. Ca-ca-cost my men their li-li-lives."
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Korruk
Visitor
Name: Korruk Logar Race: Orc Class/Level: Paladin 2 XP: 480 Maximum HP: 21 Alignment: Lawful Good
Posts: 98
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Post by Korruk on May 26, 2022 3:04:57 GMT
“Whatever Lorenzo cares about is one thing, but those he sent - the three of us - we do care. Are there others? Are you hurt? We can aid you, help you heal. For those who didn’t make it we have a Cleric to offer words of guidance on their journey and I promise you, we will cheer their names in victory when we complete this haul.”
The two goals co-existed, human life was important, but the glory of slaying chuul, taking treasure, and saving lives - there was a glorious story to be told if they could pull it all off.
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Post by Humble Chris on May 26, 2022 15:32:15 GMT
A broken smile grew on the old man's face, small but present. "Aye, I thi-thi-think I can bel-lieve you-u, la-lad." He spat on the floor again and rolled the tongue in his mouth, "Na-name's Alvar Morren; Fffffirst Ma-ma-mate. Fa-ffffar aas I kn-know, I'm the only sa-sur-sur-" he slammed his fist on the makeshift barricade, his expression one of aggravation. "SURVIVOR!!"
Alvar hung his head with shame, "S-sorry. I've sa-stammered m-most of my life. Ma-my t-t-time here hasn't ha-he-helped." He looked like he took a deep swallow and continued, "I used to ta-take medicine for it, but I-I've ra-run out."
Turning from the group, Alvar continued, "We-we were at-tacked during a storm by another shi-shi-ship. Basssstard ran us aground and me-melted into the storm. Du-don't know what happened to them. Mo-most of the ca-ca-crew survived, and we s-started working on re-repairs. Th-then the da-da-damned chuul appeared and sa-sa..." another swallow, "Slaughtered. The rest of the crew. Dr-dragged them away underwater. Ca-captain le-led a group out to ka-kill the bastards, never came back."
Alvar counted on his fingers, "The-that was fa-fu-four, days? Ago?"
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Post by Cyrus on May 30, 2022 21:05:06 GMT
Cyrus grunted. "Yeah, we got the bastard. Its babies, too. Found three of yours. Sorry about that."
He pointed downstairs.
"Do you know what's in the chest with the weird lock down there? The chuul was clearly very interested in it."
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Korruk
Visitor
Name: Korruk Logar Race: Orc Class/Level: Paladin 2 XP: 480 Maximum HP: 21 Alignment: Lawful Good
Posts: 98
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Post by Korruk on Jun 1, 2022 14:54:33 GMT
"Another ship? Do you remember what flag they flew? And as my cohort asked, do you know how we can complete the rest of our task and retrieve what is in the chest? This is your chance to honor your comrades and ensure they live forever in the tales we'll tell."
It was semi-motivation, semi-lets-get-going. The goals set out before them were close at hand, and failing to press them would be an error.
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Post by Humble Chris on Jun 1, 2022 18:03:41 GMT
Alvar looked first at the giant aasimar, and then to the giant orc with eyes both wide and frantic. He looked back to Cyrus one more time. "Th-th-thhhhhe chest?" Alvar forced out, "Ssssss-sss-some old ma-me-magic d-device, I thhhhink. Ca-ca-captain ba-brought it ab-ba-board when we were in pa-port of Aba'dulzen. I've ba-been looking fa-for the ka-key the ca-captain had. Tha-thought he le-left it he-here, ba-but it's na-now-wa-where."
Turning back to Korruk, Alvar continued. "Nay-never se-seen their f-flag before. Pa-pirates, most likely. Pa-privat-te-teers? He-had a ba-ba-bull head withhhhhh a sa-sa-sunba-burst for an eye."
Just as Alvar finished talking, a resounding thud coming from the cabin's roof drew everyone's attention to the ceiling. The sounds of wet chittering and clinking of heavy clawed feet announced the presence of an intruder.
Alvar's eyes grew even wider with fright, and they began to glisten with tears. "Shi-shit." he squeaked and reached for his crossbow just as another chittering form could be heard coming up onto the deck outside.
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