Nebulos just held his head in shame. What have I done? he thought to himself. Looking at the dead shipmate he sighed. Knowing that nothing he could say could redeem himself, Nebulos said the only thing he could I am so ... very sorry He wanted to offer up some excuse. The pirates had come so fast. Had he not acted quickly they might have killed many more .. but they also may have killed none. Not to mention the damage he did to their own ship as well. He had acted quickly and without thinking. It was not like he had never hurled a fireball before. He knew how large and powerful they were, especially his. And in his effort to impress his power upon the others it seems he had only managed to make enemies among friends. Nebulos walked over to the edge of the ship and looked over the charred railing at the damage his flames had wrought.

His face was blackened from the blast of his own doing. He should have aimed further out. He should have chosen some other way. He had several options at his disposal. Next time he would think before he acted. Looking back at the dead comrade, he wished now that he had the power to heal rather than harm. What could he do. He withdrew into himself and grew silent.

Raen winced as the bowstring slapped against her leather gauntlets. It was more against the sound than anything actually felt from the blow, since the leather protected against anything painful unless she planned on firing off the bow for the entire day. Despite her aversion to it, she quickly notched another arrow and let it loose to follow her first.

The man with the crossbow jerked three times as both Raen’s broadheads pierced his chest to keep company with the ranger’s single arrow that also stuck out from the pirate’s abdomen. With the third strike, the pirate toppled from his perch, still clutching his weapon, and dropped over the edge of the vessel. He was dead before he hit the water.

Two of the passengers had leapt across to the pirate ship and Raen was not about to repeat their leaping maneuvers. At least she would not attempt it over open seas while wearing several pieces of heavy steel. She picked up her last arrow and notched it against her bowstring, waiting for a grappling line or a boarding plank to fall across the span of the two ships.

The battle moved swiftly across the way, however, and did not present any easy targets. The strange female was in trouble. Having lost her longspear, several pirates had launched their attack on her. The feline was attacking another pirate when Raen saw something out the corner of her eye.

This was not the first time she had traveled with a mage of some kind. She knew the power they brought to a battle and, despite their frail statures, continuously proved useful in general. However, oftentimes Raen found them to be very intelligent, yet not very smart. This seemed to be one of those times as her eyes followed a small brilliant ball of flame that flew from the back of their ship to land just at the base of the pirate ship’s mast.

“Down!” Raen yelled as she dropped to her stomach, below the railing of the Saucy Wench. Her gauntleted hands covered the base of her neck as the explosion of a fireball rocked the decks.

Idiot!
The sound and smell of wood burning mixed with the disgusting smell of roasting flesh and rotting clothing. Raen got to her knees and surveyed the scene from beneath her helm. The entire enemy ship was ablaze, including the last surviving pirate. She caught him launching overboard to douse the flames. Smart idea until he remembers how far from land he really is.

She spotted movement along one side of the enemy decks and saw a cloaked figure stand in the haze of the heat. Nothing else moved on the ship besides the flames and falling timbers.

“Quickly, now!” Raen called across. “She ain’t sea-worthy no more.”

Her eyes turned to their own ship and saw crew scrambling about trying to douse the flames that licked along their own rigging. Behind the captain who still steered their vessel stood the mage, his face long and pale in shock.

As well it should be, thought Raen. He nearly cost us all our lives for that.
There was a strong urge to notch her arrow and let loose right there, but Raen suppressed it. It would do no good to have a charge of murder stand against her. She stormed up to the top deck, moving quickly across to where the mage stood, surveying the damage to the rails and side of the ship.

“…so… very sorry,” was all he could mutter as Raen got closer, shouldering her bow and holding her remaining arrow with her left hand. With her right she grabbed the robes of mage and jerked him hard enough to definitely get his attention and pulled him to look her in the eye.

“Fix it,” she said through grinding teeth and pointing back at the rigging that still was on fire in some places. “Fix it so we can all get back to goddamned land.”

His eyes left hers and gazed past hers and down to the deck where the cloaked and smoking form of the feline had landed, carrying the still form of the strange female. Raen looked from the pair as the still form was laid to the deck, to the wizard and back again.

“You have much to answer for, mage,” said Raen as she stepped down from the deck and made her way past the crew and passengers to replace some of her gear down below into storage again.

((Raen will return her bow (unstrung again), arrow, helmet, breastplate and greatsword below decks before returning to help with what little she can on a ship)).

The devastation wrought by Nebulo’s Fireball still surrounded Katriana, the lone survivor upon the former merchant vessel turned pirate ship. The thick black smoke billowed from the burning timbers, and reeking smell of burning flesh assaulted her nostrils. Carefully but swiftly she moved across the deck, seeking a trace of her newfound companion that had joined her in boarding the brigands’ vessel. At last she found her, draped over the ship’s railing like a child’s doll, her hair still smouldering, her eyes utterly devoid of life as they stared into the sun.

“I will find out your identity, and see your belongings passed to your family or next of kin. They will know of your valor.” She whispered to the lifeless comrade she barely knew as she lifted the fae into her arms. She turned back to the Wench preparing to once more make a fateful leap to safety, recovering Kumadel’s body for a proper burial should she return to land. Throwing her fate into the arms of her faith, she gave a running start and kicked off the railing, sailing smoothly across the gap and landing gracefully on solid wood on the other side.

Already waiting on the Wench was the captain and a few crewmembers, as well as the other four that had been in that room below decks when the cry for help was shouted. Raen stood before Nebulos in a terrible rage, grabbing at the mage’s clothing to prevent him from avoiding her judgement. A weak and muttered apology was all Nebulos could bring to bear in the face of such a verbal onslaught, and by the time Raen had finished with him he seemed on the brink of tears.

Lheriel stood apart from this, his companion Jeskell at his side, and together they watched the ship across from them finally collapse and sink below the waves. The commotion on the deck had distracted many of them, and so only Lheriel saw (or thought he saw at least) the shadowy figure that appeared on the burning deck for barely a moment. No sooner did he blink however, than the figure disappeared. Not entirely sure as to what it was he saw, the half-elf kept his silence and turned to watch the arguments on deck.

It was the captain of The Saucy Wench who would finally bring things to order. His gaze went first to the limp form of Kumadel, and it seemed like for a moment his eyes filled with tears.

”My worthy comrades,” he began, his voice quivering, “I knew you not well, but even still you did risk your lives to protect my ship…and its cargo. One of your number has fallen as well, in combat with these foul brigands and as such I can demand nothing from you.” He turned to face Nebulos, ”Despite your brash and thoughtless ways, mage, you saved my crew and I from what could have been death, and so I can demand no compensation from you for the minor damage you have caused my ship. I will however, ask one thing of you.” He turned to face the great part of the group. ”We carry little cargo, but there is one thing we have aboard that is…special. It is my belief that the pirates you so dispatched intended to take it, although for what reason I cannot imagine. If you will permit me one thing, I must ask that when we do dock in Camatcha, you take it with you and deliver it to a man named Kaene you will find there. This thing maybe have already endangered enough lives as it is, and perhaps you are the safer choice to deliver it…”
His appeal done, the captain waited for an answer before returning to his post and reorganising the crew. Within the hour, The Saucy Wench and laid anchor in the bay of Camatcha.

(OOC: Please post a response to the question and then post actions for you arrival and such in the port. Jozan, don’t post anymore. Brianna and Sui I’ll put you in in the next update. Oh btw, Sui’s joining. Enjoy

EDIT: Jozan you can post. If you fail, I will kill a puppy.)

Lheriel and Jeskell both stood on the deck of the ship, watching the vessel across from them sink to its watery grave. Behind them a commotion was in progress involving the mage who had set aflame the boat and also had taken the life of one of the passengers.

Lheriel thought to himself, and furrowed his eyebrows.

Clumsy fool, He should know how to control his power, and not use fire out at sea! It's common sense after all...

No sooner though when the thought crossed his mind he thought he had seen a shadowy figure appear in the blazing orange and red flames of the ship across from them. Lheriel was caught off guard and blinked, trying to focus more on this thing. But as soon as he opened his eyes, it was gone.

"Jeskell...did you?"

He thought for a moment, and decided to keep to himself, realizing how crazy he would of sounded if he tried to explain.

"What was that Lheriel?" Jeskell spoke up, curious as to what his friend was thinking.

" Oh, nothing, never mind."

A puzzled look on his companions face was all that Lheriel needed to see to realize that his friend did not see it. He turned around to the group, and watched the people argue and talk. Maybe they still had some fight pent up inside, and they needed to vent it. If the battle had dragged out longer, surely they wouldn't be at each others throats. But soon enough the captain brought everyone to order, and spoke.

”My worthy comrades, I knew you not well, but even still you did risk your lives to protect my ship…and its cargo. One of your number has fallen as well, in combat with these foul brigands and as such I can demand nothing from you. Despite your brash and thoughtless ways, mage, you saved my crew and I from what could have been death, and so I can demand no compensation from you for the minor damage you have caused my ship. I will however, ask one thing of you. We carry little cargo, but there is one thing we have aboard that is…special. It is my belief that the pirates you so dispatched intended to take it, although for what reason I cannot imagine. If you will permit me one thing, I must ask that when we do dock in Camatcha, you take it with you and deliver it to a man named Kaene you will find there. This thing maybe have already endangered enough lives as it is, and perhaps you are the safer choice to deliver it…”

Lheriels ears perked up at the sound of this proposal, and looked to Jeskell. He too seemed interested. It may of been the human blood that ran through both of them, but they wanted to see what it was and discover this new item. Quickly enough though the got their composure under control and agreed to take it to the man named Kaene.

" Captain, Jeskell and I will accompany this cargo here to this man named Kaene, along with anyone else who would want to go. If not for anything but to make the life of our one brief friend meaningful."

Jeskell nodded along and smiled, standing ready along side his well spoken friend and ally.

Already the moist, salty breezes had started to cling to outside of the steel that protected Raen’s head and chest. Her gloved fingers reached and followed the straps that led to clasps along her side. Undoing them was, by now, a mindless task and that left her mind free to wander for a moment, going over the short battle that had just transpired.

Raen’s experience had lain solely with killing brigands in the countryside but somehow it did not seem like this batch was well equipped to sail, let alone do battle at high sea. Perhaps there had been more below decks or something, but even that didn’t seem right. All hands would have been available to defend the ship or board, wouldn’t they?

Something about the attack just didn’t jive with what Raen knew about bandits and thieves that worked in groups. Perhaps they hadn’t expected more than a group of sailors. The six of them were a bit much for a vessel of this size to be defending.

Raen neatly stacked her armor and unstrung her bow, laying them across the bench. She wiped her hands down on the padded shirt she wore beneath her armor, disgusted at the accumulation of salt on her armor and weapons. She left the greaves and boot covers on, though, as she made her way back up the stairs to the deck.

As she stepped out, again, into the salty breeze and drying sun, the captain was at the rail of the top deck. Apparently he had been giving some sort of speech and Raen had missed the first half.

“…however, ask one thing of you. We carry little cargo, but there is one thing we have aboard that is…special. It is my belief that the pirates you so dispatched intended to take it, although for what reason I cannot imagine. If you will permit me one thing, I must ask that when we do dock in Camatcha, you take it with you and deliver it to a man named Kaene you will find there. This thing maybe have already endangered enough lives as it is, and perhaps you are the safer choice to deliver it,” he said.

Raen shrugged. If it was part of the deal for transport and it meant that she wouldn’t have to part with more coin for the voyage, then it seemed a simple enough task. The fay had died more from the mage’s stupidity than from the danger of the pirates and if whoever had wanted this cargo had wanted it badly enough, they could’ve gotten someone else to come here and get it with a much greater chance of success.

The ranger and half-elf promptly assured their assistance. Raen rolled her eyes at the duo. It seemed like the half-elf had gotten all of the elven flair and all of the human vanity. She doubted he had seen what she had.

“Hmph, despite the dangers your cargo has already placed us in, Captain, I, too, will accompany it. Since you asked so nicely,” Raen said.

Someone will need to ensure it gets there safely, she thought.

The leap had saved her life.. With flames licking at the end of her tail, and soon claiming the hip in a great crackle as it capsized and sank, the ash sodden Katriana stood with Kumadel’s limp form in her arms safely aboard the Saucy Wench. It took her a moment before she gently laid the body down, removing, folding neatly, and placing her own cloak under the fallen comrades’ head as though she were but sleeping, caught in a peaceful dream from which she chose not to awaken.

With her cloak removed, Katriana was in full view to everyone. And what a view it was. Long slender legs ending in pawed feet flexed as she moved towards Raen and Nebulos, the toned muscles evident even under her fur. She wore only a simple gold hued set of undergarments, really nothing more than a bra and panties in material which scarely hid her ample bosom or muscular thighs, and by her nonchalant and demure behaviour it was evident even those meager materials for modest humanoid concerns rather than her own taste in fashion.

Aside from the undergarments, and a simple rope belt holding some pouches on the side, Katriana was bare of any form of weapon or armor.. The felinoid moved with grace and dignity towards Neblulos and the tempered Raen. She moved to interject, but Raen took her leave of the situation with cursory resignation.

Turning to Nebulos Katriana locked her emerald hued eyes to his.

“Rash decisions have cost an innocent their life, and it is your duty to seek redemption for your actions. For now, all I can ask for is whatever monetary items of value you have, that can be sold or used to purchase the means to restore this good natured child of the earth back to life. I carry little in the means of currency, and will likely have to sell her own equipment for her second chance at life. I think losing some material items is a paltry price for the restoring of a stolen life”

Katriana looks to Nebulos for a reply, a stern, but wise look upon her face.

(Allowing for Devalero’s reply / actions / backposting)

The captain too had seen fit to speak up, and request further assistance from the already proven unpredictable travelers.

”My worthy comrades,” he began, his voice quivering, “I knew you not well, but even still you did risk your lives to protect my ship…and its cargo. One of your number has fallen as well, in combat with these foul brigands and as such I can demand nothing from you.” He turned to face Nebulos, ”Despite your brash and thoughtless ways, mage, you saved my crew and I from what could have been death, and so I can demand no compensation from you for the minor damage you have caused my ship. I will however, ask one thing of you.” He turned to face the great part of the group. ”We carry little cargo, but there is one thing we have aboard that is…special. It is my belief that the pirates you so dispatched intended to take it, although for what reason I cannot imagine. If you will permit me one thing, I must ask that when we do dock in Camatcha, you take it with you and deliver it to a man named Kaene you will find there. This thing maybe have already endangered enough lives as it is, and perhaps you are the safer choice to deliver it…”
Katriana turned to face the captain, a good man by all accounts, a man she had traveled with once before though the ride had been much shorter and less … interesting. “I will see your trinket delivered, but need also tend to catering to the fallen’s needs. There is much work to be done. If anyone here, can find it in their hearts to donate to this most worthy cause, then please, I ask you do so, that I might take this poor soul to a local church and attempt to have them restored to take on life anew. I am sure they will be eternally grateful for any assistance.”

Seeing as this seemed the time to be making requests, Katriana hopes that some small fund might be raised, anything at all to help give a stranger she hardly knew, a warrior without a name a second chance at life… Katriana in a sense had been given such a chance, Karma dictated she attempt to grant the same gift to another.

(KAtriana will be Carrying Kumadel's body to a local Church of a good aligned deity (preferrably RAgnarok where she can relate the story and hope for some sympathy to the fallen's situation. She will (if she has enough money from donations and selling whatever Nebulos/ others/ or even Kumadel's own ring of Jump or other items (I can't see what she has as I have no clue..) Then she'll try and get a raise dead cast on her.. (I know the -1 Con sucks, but at least you can play again Philo )

Lheriel fiddled with his coin purse on his side, knowing full well that he most likely had enough gold to raise the person.

" How much would it cost to raise someone? I can pay for the entire cost. It isn't much trouble, if I desperatly need money, I could always message home for more."

Katriana turns to another strange traveler aboard the voyage a look o utter disbeli on her face.

"To think such unfettered kindness and generosity still abounds in this world touches me greatly, but surely no greater than she who will live again by your aid. I have only seen the rite performed a select few time on those worthy enough to be granted life anew, but the component.. a diamond of some value is required. As far as I know from what an old warpriest said, the diamond had to be of the purest grade, worth over 5,000 crowns at least. It is a hefty price for any man I'd wager, but the loss of gold will surely weigh volumes on the scales of your life for your kindness here."

She lets him mull that over a moment; a look of hope on her face.

Lheriel rolled the coin purse over in his hands once more. He knew what he should do, especially since this fighter had list her life fighting pirates, defending a ship. Something he himself could not do many years ago, when his own mother had died of a pirate attack. He could of gladly spent his whole fortune raising his mother if he could of, and now, he could get some sort of peace from helping another who met the same fate.

He quickly opened his draw strings and took out what looked like only a handful of coins, and shoved them in one pocket. He handed out the coin pouch, towards the feliness.

" Here, take these. It's 3,000 crowns. It should be a good starting amount for this person. I surely hope that she does get another chance at life."


(( I'm stuffing 15 platinum in my pocket, and handing over 300 platinum. Hope this helps!))

Katriana feels the weight of the coin purse in her paws, it is heavier than anything she has ever carried in almost 10 years. Once, when she was younger and foolish, she had 'appropriated' a marble bust of a mayor that weight about the same as this bag of coin, but that had been many moons ago.

"This is a most generous offering. I would have your name stranger. I am Katriana Felinar, Warder of the (DM insert commonly known Paladin/ knightly order of Ragnarok/ Good aligned Pantheon here.) On behalf of the fallen I most graciously accept your gift, and swear to see it go to the purpose in which it was given in faith."

Katriana carefully ties the money pouch to her belt, and bows humbly towards Lheriel.

" My name is Lheriel Gherrian, nice to meet you Katriana. I am glad to be able to help the brave fighter, who had this horrible fate bestowed upon her. Anyone who would fight pirates is honoured by me and deserves all the help they can get. It is much more different than fighting on land. When you are on ground, you have a chance to escape. But out at sea, its live or die in the fight. No running."

Lheriel smiled at Katriana as she bowed,and leaned back onto the railing of the ship, thinking back to a day far off in his mind to where he wished this was the final end of that excursion, instead of what had actually happened.

" Yes, whatever it takes to give this brave one a second chance..."

Lheriel spoke under his breathe, looking at the slumped body.

“If you will permit me one thing, I must ask that when we do dock in Camatcha, you take it with you and deliver it to a man named Kaene you will find there. This thing maybe have already endangered enough lives as it is, and perhaps you are the safer choice to deliver it…”
The captain’s request seemed to awaken something in those that survived the encounter with the pirates. In sharp contrast to his silence a moment earlier, Lheriel was the first to speak.

" Captain, Jeskell and I will accompany this cargo here to this man named Kaene, along with anyone else who would want to go. If not for anything but to make the life of our one brief friend meaningful."
His companion nodded silently in agreement. It seemed that the pair of them were inseparable.

Raen had turned away from the reckless mage and was listened to this brief interchange. If this cargo was to blame for the pirate attack then it had already cost one friendly life, and caused undue pain and damage to both the crew and the very ship they stood upon.

“Hmph, despite the dangers your cargo has already placed us in, Captain, I, too, will accompany it. Since you asked so nicely,” she said, clearly uncomfortable with the idea of Lheriel being able to take care of it himself. She hoped her presence would allow it to be delivered safely.

The feline Katriana, fresh from leaping away from what was now little more than a few floating timbers, laid the fallen form of Kumadel gently on the deck, resting her on her own cloak. Following that, her gaze turned to Nebulos.

“Rash decisions have cost an innocent their life, and it is your duty to seek redemption for your actions. For now, all I can ask for is whatever monetary items of value you have, that can be sold or used to purchase the means to restore this good natured child of the earth back to life. I carry little in the means of currency, and will likely have to sell her own equipment for her second chance at life. I think losing some material items is a paltry price for the restoring of a stolen life”
The mage, having already been reprimanded by nearly every person on deck turned away sheepishly, almost as if he was crying, and said nothing.

Satisfied that soon the mage would do the right thing, Katriana turned and addressed the captain.

“I will see your trinket delivered, but need also tend to catering to the fallen’s needs. There is much work to be done. If anyone here, can find it in their hearts to donate to this most worthy cause, then please, I ask you do so, that I might take this poor soul to a local church and attempt to have them restored to take on life anew. I am sure they will be eternally grateful for any assistance.”
Now sooner had she finished her appeal did the half-elven Lheriel speak up, offering a donation of his own three-thousand gold coins for the restoration of his fallen comrade to life. The Katriana’s cat-like visage cracked into a slight smile as he did, and quick introductions were made between the two. Moved by this show of great generosity, the captain, reached to his own coin purse, and donated as well what he could (+50 pp) before addressing the group once more.

”I thank you all for accepting my request without hesitation, and wish you the best of luck in your future endeavours. I do hope our dear friend does once more see the chance to draw breath, but I can give you no more than I have in that regard.” He looked over the group, some still singed and bleeding from the battle. ”When you reach Camatcha, and find Kaene, do not hesitate to ask for someone to tend your wounds. I would not have my passengers treated so, and should you mention your deeds here today, I have no doubt that they would charge very you much for the act. Once more I thank you for your help.”
His piece said, the captain returned to the helm to direct the crew, and within minutes The Saucy Wench pulled into the dock of Camatcha.

With the help of the crew the group disembarked, with Katriana carrying the still form of Kumadel and one crewmember of the Wench carrying the cargo. The mage, who was the only one to not given his answer to the captain’s question, followed nevertheless, perhaps his participation in the restoration of the fae’s life could help absolve his part in her death. The group made haste into the crowd, and within seconds Lheriel had discerned Kaene’s location from a passer-by, his half-elven charm and wit quickly leading to friends and information.

Kaene it seemed, was the regional ranking priest in the order of Magnagoth, and would be located in the grand temple on the far east side of Camatcha. The group was quickly put on their guard by this news. Whoever wanted to take this cargo from a priest of Kaene’s stature was either very foolish or very powerful, and neither was ideal for the safety of the party. They continued on however, making their way to the temple.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Forested Area on the Outskirts of Camatcha
Raiel ran through the woods at a lively pace,, her faithful canine companion Coo Shee at her side. It was good to get out of the confines of the city for a while to truly commune with nature. She probably wouldn’t be in the city at all had she not been requested personally. She had no idea how the messenger had tracked her down, but he had, and his letter asked for her presence directly at the great temple of Magnagoth in Camatcha. Although not particularly religious she had accepted regardless, her curiousity overpowering her desire to not spend a great amount of time in the city.

Suppose I’ve been out here long enough… She thought with resignation. They’ll be expecting me soon.
As she left the forest she neglected to notice the figure hidden just in the shadows of the forest. The figure watched her until she was out of sight, before vanishing themselves.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In the “Hearth and Home” a tavern on the east side of Camatcha
The tavern was poorly made and equally well lit, the two magically illuminated torches spread just far enough to create an interesting shadow effect which hid more than a few of the watering hole's more suspicious clients. It was ironic that a place called Hearth and Home could feel so unwelcoming, but as long as the seedy underbelly of Camatcha felt they could come here for a drink with no questions asked the owner (a burly man by the name of Bruno) had no problem accepting their coin.

It was here that the tall dark man known as Jiminous Mintous to those that cared was staring idly at his untouched cup of Bruno's extra-strength mead. His appearance did little to discourage rumors, with his menacing halberd and dark clothing, marking him as someone not to be trifled with. So it would seem interesting to know that the one that he was here waiting for appeared to be none other than a lesser priest of Magnagoth.

The man walked in slowly, a long brown robe worn instead of the traditional purple robes of his order. He appeared unaccustomed to the lighting, and very nearly ran into a rather angry looking orc before finally finding his way to Jiminous's table. He sat down quickly, his looking left and right as if he was expecting the whole room to be watching him. People like him did not often come to places like this.

"Master Mintous?" he asked inquisitively. Jiminous nodded, this poor fellow was obviously just a bit spooked.

"Oh very good then, I trust you uh...recieved our summons...of course you did you're here...but...you understand we don't often...associate with your type...right? No disrespect meant."
On and on he blathered, appearing both curious of Jiminous but also deeply afraid, as if being in his very presence hurt him slightly.

"Um...urr...we need you to go to...the...uh...temple, yes. But uh...we would prefer if you didn't take the main door...or talk to anyone...you understand yes?" He waiting a moment before continuing. "Once you're in uh...ask for Kaene, he'll see you shortly no doubt...um...that's it...uh...hopefully I won't see you around..." His piece said the priest ran off furitively, pulling the robe of his hood over his head as he did.

Jiminous stood and gathered his gear. While this was not his normal choice of a patron it would have to do. As he left, the shadows of the tavern easily obscured the man watching him from the corner.

(OOC: Ok, adding EXP and stuff like that to the main page. If you go to the temple make whatever requests and such and do your stuff. Yes…that wasn’t vague at all. Sui you're in.. Brianna you’re in.)

Weeks Before

Raiel had been a Ranger with The Silverwood Ranger for many years. She had rising in the ranks from neophyte ranger to her current status and served with pride and a touch of prejudice for the job they did. The Silverwood Rangers were well receive and their forest kept clear of wandering monsters and those who would harm the forest and it s denizens Unfortunately it was her status that got her here in the first place. When the request had come in to the Lord Ranger of Silverwood for an elven ranger to go to the city it had been passes down the ranks to her. The more senior rangers passed it on but when she got it and tried to pass it on it got stopped with her. The Lord Ranger said that the more junior rangers were not skilled enough for this summons, though he said nothing about what it would entail; only telling her when to report to the main temple.

Reluctantly Raiel left the deep woods and the Silverwood Rangers to make the long trip to Camacha. She took only her horse and her companion of the passed two year, Stormy, a Coo Shee whom she had raised after Stormy’s mother had been killed by a rogue male bear. The two had been close but when she had established a telepathic link with Stormy they were closer than ever. Stormy was an imposing creature an elven dog of mammoth proportions when compared to human dogs. Even the huge Mastiff guard dogs were much smaller than he was at almost 50 inches to the shoulder. His color was a deep dark green with lighter green spots dappling his back, like light filtering through the shadows. It was easy for him to just seemingly disappear in the forest greenery. However on the roads far from elven forests, he stood out.

Raiel had moved swiftly not sure how long it would take her to get here. While she missed the woods she was a bit curious about the world outside her great forest environs where she had rarely if ever gone out of. While she saw a few elves out and about it was mostly humans as she got closer and closer to the ocean. She had stopped at inns, but not often, preferring her own company and that of the companions. The closer she got to the city the more she slept out in the wilds safely enough despite the less law abiding human lands. In one of the first towns in human lands she went into a small inn there to get a few provisions. Some local thugs followed her out later that night thinking her an easy mark. However, Stormy was out their waiting for her she knew he was, eagerly too since she had promised to get him a bone. He shadowed her in the darkness on the night the moon had long since gone down and the local inhabitants long since in bed snug in their small houses.

Once outside she walked out towards the edge of town she knew once she got to the woods she would be okay but they had hurried by a back route and had tried to stop her before she got out of town they came at her threatening many things, which was the first mistake. She drew her dagger and shifted her buckler forward. One of them came brashly forward to take her on, that was their second mistake. They should have rushed her with three to one they would have had a better chance to hit her. They didn’t and one of one she was an experience fighter. She quickly led with her shield and bashed his right arm holding a club bring then brought the edge of her shield down sharply on his arm. “Yeow” he yelled and grabbed his arm. Third mistake that left his left side wide open and she drove her dagger deeply into his side and then drew it forward. He screamed and went down. His friends screamed too because hurtling out of the shadows of an alley way came and charging pony size enraged Coo Shee.

Stormy had been shadowing her and when the first thug accosted Raiel that it all it took for the massive elven dog to launch himself forward. Stormy leaped for the throat of the biggest one. The man brought up a club but he never got a chance to swing it. Stormy hit the big thug high and at almost 275 pounds the man toppled over like a nine pin and landed flat on his back with the wind knocked out of him. When her regained his senses Stormy was standing on him with all four feet teeth barred and growling fangs only inches from the mans throat. The man tried to move but as soon as he did Stormy growl ferociously. The smaller thug was stunned in the first moments and then took to his heels. Raiel left the small town and went off to sleep in the woods that night and most of the time after that as well. Stormy got his boon and an extra good brushing that night.

The only other two times she was attacked was once by bandits on the road and once again at night with a chance met traveler, a half elf whom she felt she could trust. Trust lasted only until she went to sleep rolled up in her cloak near their shared campfire. That person waited until she was asleep and tried to steal her horse. He only got a few yards when Raiel’s mount threw him clean over her head. And then bit him hard adding insult to injury. There after Raiel kept to sleeping out in the wilds or orchards. It was much safe. Moonshadow add to the injury with a sharp nip on the would-be thief’s butt.

She had hunted and fish for her provision and the trio made their way steadily towards the port city of Camacha.

Outside of Camacha

Raiel was really reluctant to leave the forest even more reluctant because she knew she had too, The time was fast approaching for her to report to the main Temple of Magnagoth in the port city of Camacha. It was a long way from where she called home, the great Silverwood Forest that was under the protection of the Silverwood rangers. She had bathed Moonshadow and her elven steed Moondancer and groomed both until they shone with care and attention. She herself and stripped and bathed in the forest pool she had found fed by a small clear spring bubbling up through a rock outcropping. She climbed out and soaped herself with a hunk of soap they made from lard and ash. Until her hair sparked and her creamy skin skin was soft and scrubbed clean. She pulled out her best forest green pants with a darker green silk shirt and leather jerkin. Before she put those on she pulled out her padded silk under tunic and slide it on before adding her finely made mithral elven mail shirt. She belted her jerkin and shirt with an embroidery elven belt of fine leather supple and soft yet strong. The emblem of the Silverwood Rangers was embroidered on the small patch over her left arm. It showed and broad, spearing silver oak on a dark green field. She topped all with her fine elven cloak of dark green lined with grey with a grey furred edge. A larger emblem was embroidered on her left breast of her cloak with the motto of the Silverwood Rangers under it. Raiel put away her travel outfit and pull on fine high soft boots of deep grey embroidered in green vines and scroll designs. Unable to put it off any longer Raiel mounts Moondancer and calls Moonshadow to her side. She rides on to the port site of Camacha. After brushing her hair out thoroughly the long rave black tresses were gleaming it seemed a sin to braid it in t tight braid worn long behind her head but that is how she wore her hair for her work and the journey. Her soft violet eyes scanned the tranquil spring pool, sighing she left having no other excuses for delaying.

The walls were stout and the gate guarded by four men outside the gates. More guards were on the wall with pikes and crossbows. Stopped at the gate by the guards and asked her business she hands them a pass she carried from the Lord Ranger of Silverwood. Raiel did not know if the extent of his power reached this far and would carry any weight with these humans. They look askance at Moonshadow and ask what he was. “He is a Coo Shee and elven dog and my companion,” as if that explained everything to these men. She also asks for directions to the Temple of Magnagoth, and then hold out her hand to receive her pass back. She was allowed to pass on into the city proper. Following the directions she rode on into the more central part of the city. The overwhelming smell of overcrowded humanity assailed her sense. Smells, sight sound even a salty briny taste of sea in the air as well as others less appealing tastes reached her. It almost made her turn around and go back but she could not. She only wanted to. Finally with a few missed turns and a few more questions of likely looking passersby she reaches the great Temple. Dismounting she walked forward into the area before the temple. There was a hitching post not that she needed to tie Moondancer up. Thoughtfully the temple had provided a watering trough. She leads Moon dance over closer to that and then slipped the bridle from her mouth to let her drink. Slipping her simple bridle over her saddle Raiel used a neck rope to loosely tie up Moondancer after she had drunk her fill. She motions for Moonshadow to follow her.

Entering the large edifice that served as the Temple of Magnagoth Raiel made her way into the central part of the structure looking for and acolyte or priest Spying one just fifty feet away Raiel crosses over to him. Hopefully the man in robes was one she could get to help her. “Good afternoon good Priest.” She said in her best Common, “I was sent herr by the Lord Ranger of Silverwood. A ranger was requested and I was sent.” That is what she said, what she said, what she thought was that she got stuck with the job mo one else wanted to do. Be it good or not, she had reported in. Raiel was curious about why a Ranger of Silverwood was requested.

Raen waited until the captain had completed his small speech before returning below decks to tend to her equipment. While the sea spray was soothing on the minor burns she got from the wayward fireball but the drying water left the salt behind and dried out the skin more than the burn would. Luckily there was a barrel of fresh water below decks and Raen soaked one of the few socks she had in it and patted down the few burned areas. They would be better in a few days, but the annoyance of these minor injuries still got to her.

She sighed to herself, alone with the equipment and storage. Her eyes glanced around to look for the crate that might contain the cargo that the pirates had been seeking. Something still bugged her about that fight. Those weren't normal pirates. Then again, this crew wasn't exactly normal either.

She sat next to her pile of armor and her pack and began to wipe down the steel links with the cloth, periodically taking another one to dry the links completely. The journey was still another hour or two at least and Raen was determined to make the most of her time. They would soon have to transport whatever this cargo was across Camatcha. She did not expect a simple delivery, either. When it came to desirable goods, there were often several interested parties and they had only fended off one so far.

By the time Raen finished wiping the last few droplets off of her greaves, a member of the crew had come by and mentioned that they would be docking soon. Some of the others had been down already to gather their own equipment. Raen didn’t say anything to them as they passed by, engrossed in her work. She strapped on her armor and slung and buckled on the various weapon belts with their charges. Grabbing her pack and helm, Raen lugged her gear up on deck to see harbor ships floating around; some at dock, some not.

A few of the others loitered about mid-decks so Raen moved over and silently joined them. The crew methodically began to remove other cargo down the planks that extended to the docks. Raen slipped in between as a pair of deckhands readjusted their grip on their crate.

Eventually all the others had made it onto the docks and as they all stood there, wondering what came next, a young man came up holding a wooden box.

“So that must be the cargo and you are carrying it for us?” Raen asked, receiving a curt nod in response. “Fine, then. We should be getting a hustle on then.”

The fighter settled her helm on her head and checked her blades that none were stuck in their sheaths. It is never good to be stuck in battle with a sword that refuses to leave its sheath. Satisfied with her equipment, Raen looked around at the group. All of them seemed to be peering in different directions. Again, for what might be the 20th time that day, Raen sighed. This was going to be a very long delivery if these people couldn’t get their heads into the game.

This is what you get for volunteering to go along with the solo crew, Raen thought to herself. Looks like its up to you to get this done.
“Alright. Since we’ll be delivering this thing together, my name is Raen. Does anyone know where we are going?” Raen asked the rest of the group.

[Lherial’s response]

“Great. More magic and power bulls***. We’re probably carting around some dangerous artifact or power source. Because all I needed was something else to try and kill me today,” Raen said scornfully.

“Let’s move. I’ll lead. The damned fool of a mage and sailor can carry the box in the middle of us. Lherial? Kat? Flank them. Jeskell, was it? You bring up the rear. Watch our backs for us,” ordered Raen, taking charge. Formation was the one thing that might save them in case of an ambush.

Raen looked at Lherial and Katriana and pointed at the deckhand who held the cargo they were transporting to the temple.

“Make sure he doesn’t get shanked in the crowd. Last thing we want is our mule dead in a crowd. The chaos would make it easy enough for a pickpocket to get a hundred bells away on a three-legged dog.”


((Raen will lead the way to the temple, keeping on high alert. She's a little paranoid about security.))

Lheriel smiled as they made port, being happy again to be near the sea, and also near civilization. Jeskell stepped out next to him and squinted, the wind in his eyes. He wasnt as used to the sea life as Lheriel was.

They started to walk down onto the docks, and all was fine until someone started barking orders out, telling everyone to do something specific and in some very interesting tones.

Lheriel looked at the woman with a raised eyebrow, curious as the very awkward mood she was in.

" You dont really have to be such a poor sport about this all. Your acting like you know we're all going to get killed and end up in the belly of Ratharawn himself! Just lighten up a bit, and I will do as you say, only becuase it makes sense. You really should get out of that attitude you have, and take taht emotion and funnel it into looking out for baddies, not moping around because you agreed to something. Oh and one other thing, our "mule" is a person to. See? Arms, legs, face skin, all the workings of the gods. Now don't go insulting this poor fellow or you can just carry the damned box yourself."

With that Lheriel will do as she says, it being tactically sound, watching our new found friend the box carrier so he doesnt get 'shanked'.