Tales of Aequar: Runite's Rise IC II

[Dusk Eclipse]

"Is someone paying you'?"

[Athedia]

"You can not honestly think we will just let you go though? Or let you keep any of the stolen items? And if you haven't been paid, why care if we save that man *she gestured to the other man she had bandaged* wouldn't he just decrease your share?"

[CoffeeIncluded]

He shrugs. "Not by much, not worth his bow. But you better damn give our booty back!."

He turns to Artorias. "Duh, the captain pays us!"

[Dusk Eclipse]

"Are we sure the paperwork isn't worth it?"

[CoffeeIncluded]

Now Avram seems to get the message and shuts up.

[Dusk Eclipse]

"Glad we reached an understanding" Artorias flashes a predatory grin.

He then proceeds to stop Surdrak slitting throats (despite not being exacly against it), stabilizing* when needed and hauling the loot.

Spoiler

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Take 10 on a heal check for a total of 12 (thanks to my trusty healing belt)

[CoffeeIncluded]

Some of the pirates are beyond saving, while Artorias is able to prevent three more from bleeding out.

[Dusk Eclipse]

Once he is sure there won't be any more deaths Artorias calls over the Hobgoblin who helped them before"Hey! You are good with ropes right? Can you tie up these guys? I rather not have to fight them again when they wake up"

[CoffeeIncluded]

The hobgoblin storms over, and seems to be about to punch Artorias in the face. "Why couldn't you do anything for her?!"

[Silverraptor]

Sora see's the group stabilize and round up the rest of the pirates. She takes one last look at Elsee before dejectedly walking over and making her way below deck, away from the rest of the group.

[Dusk Eclipse]

"I... I made a mistake" Artorias may have not seen Elsee eye to eye in many ways; but she was dear to him, now that the adrenaline rush was fading, his calm and focused facade started to crumble.

[CoffeeIncluded]

"The hell kinda mistake was that? You could have actually done something!"

[Dusk Eclipse]

"I know...."

[Athedia]

"If you feel like he should have done something, why didn't you. Anyway she was our friend, our companion. You don't think we are all angry right now." Badger sighed and looked at Avram. "Doesn't actually look like any of you will give us good info."

Turning back to the crew members of the ship they traveled on she asked "Do you have a jail or something? An empty cabin or storage area? We need to bring this men into port, and don't worry. I am sure there is a reward for capturing pirates."

[CoffeeIncluded]

Because-because you were right next to her!" The hobgoblin seems to slump into his clothes. He then looks at the unconscious pirates. "I can tie them up, and I think we can hold them in one if the store rooms."

[Athedia]

"Fine, do that." Badger felt suddenly weary. She picked up and cradled Elsee's body as she returned to the cabin, carefully laying the body down.

[super dark33]

So you DO want to save them now?! Make your mind! Or that is your special way of listening to what I say? Say 'no' then act as if it were your own idea?

Surdrak jumps to the other ship to finish the job.

[Dusk Eclipse]

"If you kill them we get less money, simple as that2 Artorias answers bluntly. Not wanting to deal with Surdrak or angry hobgoblins Artorias returns to his spot at the Crow's nest.

[CoffeeIncluded]

The atmosphere on the ship is significantly more morose as they sail away from the pirate ship, leaving it to drift and sink. They lay Elsee's body in state on her bunk, and decide what to do. Dinner is quiet, and even Kheel doesn't say much. The group gets the sense that there was going to be a celebration, but with Elsee as the price?

The crew and even the captain offer a few words of condolence, and ask if they want to bury the goblin at sea, but they refuse.

Some point during the night, Jadeite identifies the items. He calls everyone over, and details them.

Spoiler

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The five magic items are as follows:

Ring of Mind Shielding
Potion of Bull's Strength
Potion of Resist Energy
Scroll of Hold Person
Wand of Enlarge Person (23 charges)

[Dusk Eclipse]

"So what do we do know?" Artorias breaks the silence"We have a mission to finish, but we can't leave Elsee like that."

[CoffeeIncluded]

"And I do not have the power to restore her to life. Or turn her into a free-willed undead creature. Such acts are highly unethical anyway," Jadeite hastily adds when he sees the looks on his allies' faces.

[Dusk Eclipse]

"And I do not have the power to restore her to life. Or turn her into a free-willed undead creature. Such acts are highly unethical anyway," Jadeite hastily adds when he sees the looks on his allies' faces.

Artorias chuckles grimly "Elsee would probably like that"

[Athedia]

"But then I would be stuck with Lil' Miss. Not that I wouldn't want her back anyway, but this bloodsucker is a real motivator. But other than a god popping down and putting her on her feet what can we do? And who do goblins worship anyway?"

It was taking all of Badger's will not to scratch the back of her neck where she had placed Lil' Miss. She was sure the creature was twice as large already as when she put it there, but knew that was probably her imagination. Hopefully.

[super dark33]

Hopefuly if we encounter that dragon he may allow us to keep the gold for the ressuruction of Elsee.
As I recall, bronze dragons are not malevolent.

Surdrak took the wand.

im very close to using wands as naturally as its casters... Ill take this.

[Athedia]

"Uh, I'll just take the ring if it is no trouble." Badger hurriedly slipped it onto her finger, scraping her skin on the way.

[CoffeeIncluded]

"I will soon be able to learn this spell; I could add it to my repertoire," Jadeite says, reaching for the scroll of Hold Person.

Spoiler

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Only if nobody else wants the scroll.

"Who knows, Badger? After all, a vampire is just as much of a bloodsucking parasite as a tick like Little Miss. They might strike up an even deeper friendship!"

He smirks, then turns to Surdrak.

"Of course, that's assuming the dragon is still alive."

The night and following morning pass without incident. The few surviving pirates strike up a fuss, but a few "words" with the hobgoblin and a couple other sailors soon take care of that. There's a light breeze on the sea, enough to send the sails rippling, but the ocean itself is mercifully flat as the ship cuts through it. There's barely a cloud in the sky, though the air seems to get hotter by the minute as they head further south--as if Runite wasn't hot enough.

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Spot checks, everyone.

[Athedia]

Badger only needed an occasional sip of the potion now. She had gotten used to the rolling of the ship. The gentle rocking helped her get to sleep.

As she walked the deck she looked out over the water, hoping for a glimpse of land.

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Spot: (1d20+8)[13]

[super dark33]

Surdrak was sitting by the nose of the ship.
He was a bit sleepy.

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(1d20+1)[10]

[Dusk Eclipse]

The heat didn't do anything to better Artorias mood, but every now and then a merciful breeze refreshed him.

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Spot (1d20+7)[19]

[CoffeeIncluded]

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spot: (d20+4)[19]

Jadeite and Artorias see a break in the ocean, a rounded shape rising out of it.