A Tunnels and Trolls® play-by-post adventure run by khara_khang
The three treasure hunters reverently approached the temple door. An immense stone slab, perfectly fitted into place, blocked off the only visible entrance to the massive tomb-like structure. "Well," Shipy Sr. laughed slyly, "if we had brought gunpowder, I could've blasted it open."
"Please," begged Sirina, "no more explosions. Or are ye fergettin' the dragon hoard in the cave north of Arettia?"
"That incident was hardly my fault! I couldn't have known that there was still a Red Wyrm living there, and you know that I only wanted to use the gunpowder to...." Shipy Sr. stopped and watched Kazad, who had silently climbed to the top of the slab, and was motioning for Shipy Sr. and Sirina to follow. They looked around for handholds, but the sheer stone offered naught beyond a few flimsy vines. Forced to take what they might, they began scaling the rock wall.
When Shipy arrived at the top of the first ledge, Kazad pointed to the inscription on the stone he had found, and moved aside to let Shipy take a closer look. Rina pulled herself up to the narrow ledge and looked over Shipy Sr.'s shoulder. "Can ye read it?"
"Well, the characters are Old Parusan, the script of the High Elves, but the language... it just shouldn't be written...."
"What d'ye mean 'shouldn't be written?' We need a way in, an' fast, 'afore the Sea Elves get here!" Rina had another impatient look on her face, but Shipy Sr. could only shake his head and stare at the inscription.
"It's a dialect of the Tiang language, but written in the letters of Parusan Elves. I can't translate it fully without time to study it fully, but it looks like the only way in is up."
"Great. That's all I'll be needin', more altitude. I'm already feelin' light-headed as it is."
"Spend more time on land to get used to the lower pressure," Shipy Sr. advised as he began scaling the ancient gray wall. "Then learn to stop complaining so much."
The pirate captain said nothing, but starred daggers at her friend. For all their bickering, Sirina and Shipy Sr. were inseparable, but they could annoy each other like they were experts in psychological warfare rather than... creative archaeology. Rina looked to Kazad, who had already found a vine that seemed solidly attached to something, and had begun climbing. She stepped lightly over to the vine and began climbing. He is insufferable at times! No, wait, Sirina corrected herself mentally. He's insufferable all of the time. That's why I... oh, forget it.
Taran helps Dorsal stow the rowboat once everyone is aboard the Night Gail.
[Taran] inquires after a good place to stash their gear, and if there are quarters for them.
"Follow me an I'll show ya, " Dorsal says emphatically.
Dorsal skillfully slides down the ladder from the main deck onto the lower deck. The lower deck is dark and narrow as they head astern, following a narrow hallway with dozens of doors on either side. Passing the ladder going down into the cargo hold, the first mate leads Taran into a large room filled with hammocks and a few lanterns hung from the low ceiling that swing back and forth with the movement of the ship. There is also a bucket for a quick bathroom.
"Here is where yee'all will stay."
The first mate hesitates and motions into the room, and then abruptly turns and hurries off. This gives Taran time to pick the best hammock, stow his gear, and take a needed bathroom break before returning above.
Passing the ladder going down into the cargo hold on his return trip, Taran looks down and notices the faint silhouette of a figure dressed in a hooded grayish-black robe looking back up at him. In the darkness, Taran's eyes don't show heat from the figure.
"Well, Shippo, not exactly the love boat but it'll do I suppose."
Shipy gives Jack the "look" and crosses the deck, stopping first to knock on the captain's cabin door with Olvarin and Quickly following him. [This occurs before Quickly chats with Jay --ed.] He can't help but admit to himself that he is a little nervous. Like everything else, Shipy thinks it is just one more hurdle to cross to get to his goal.
"Enter," the voice shoots from inside.
The door opens with a foreboding creaking noise into a dimly lit room crowded with all manner of items. A man reclines in a comfortable chair behind a desk near the back of the room, with his feet up on the desk. As each of you approach his desk you can see a sword hanging from his hip and a pistol tucked into his belt. A brightly colored parrot walks around on the captain's desk. Above the desk hangs a small metal cage. Inside can be seen a female Fairy. The Fairy tries to avoid eye contact. A crewmember outside closes the door behind you.
"Kill'em, spread their guts in the sun!" says the very loud parrot.
"Captain Jelsee, I'm glad to see you in good health." Shipy tries to ignore the parrot.
The captain of the Night Gail answers dismissively, "Aye, we be underway. One of me crew will point you to yer temporary quarters, which be the next deck down, directly below this cabin." The captain eyes everyone suspiciously. "I will get yee to the island one way or another Shipy, as agreed. Just keep yer greedy mates under control."
"Will do, Captain. Nothing but sweet, sweet words that turn into bitter orange wax in my ears," he says cheerfully.
"Blood and diamonds, blood and diamonds!" the parrot repeats.
"Are we going the same way of Sirina and her pirates?"
The captain chuckles, "Sirina you say?"
"Quiet you," says Shipy pointing at Quickly and winking.
"Don't give him no never-mind, Captain. He's been licking toads again," Shipy explains, regaining his composure. "I'm reminded of this sailor who met a pirate. The sailor said, 'You're a real pirate? You have a pegged leg, hook, and an eye patch.' The pirate said, 'The captain threw me overboard into shark-infested waters. A shark bit my leg off, that's how I got a pegged leg. I got into a swordfight and that's how I lost my hand. I was on a pirate ship high in a crow's nest as I looked up and a crow pooped in my eye.' The sailor said, 'You mean a bird caused you to lose your eye?' And the pirate said, 'That was my first day with the hook.'" He laughs, thinking that he is quite good at telling jokes.
Bowing slightly to Captain Jelsee, Shipy leaves the captain's cabin to return to the main deck to find the others. He tells himself he isn't going to fall into the trap of keeping secrets. Everyone is in this together, and everyone shall have to know what is going on.
Ocullos strolls around on the main deck, and then climbs the two flights of stairs to the top deck where the first mate is manning the wheel, at the highest point on the ship's deck.
"Well isn't this nice? Civilization spread out behind us like butter on a Khazan muffin, with all its little nooks and crannies...." He stares off into the distance.
A short crusty looking man with a perpetual scowl and a nose like a parrot comes out of the galley and stops near Jay. He stands there for a few minutes watching the waves while he takes a break.
"I've been aboard ships since I was a little scrap. Not much has changed." He looks around then introduces himself to Jay. "A little less water in the grog today I think, and there's a wind getting up. Gonna be a squall, I reckon."
Sometime later, Shipy returns from seeing the captain. The Hobbit circles around over the deck, telling the group that they should gather around for a chat so that he can tell everyone what is going on. Eventually Shipy stops beside Jax, who doesn't look as bad as before, his seasickness having subsided, possibly in part to Jay's spells.
"We're at yet another scenic viewpoint, Jax!" He pauses, looking over at Ebony. "Hi Ebony." Shipy says, leaning on the rail waiting for the others to gather. "This is nice to be out adventuring again," and he leaves the statement hanging as he watches the fading sunlight.
What do you do?
...
AKA prolongly boring...
"Please, no more explosions."
Yeah! Lay off the beans!
Ocullos... climbs the two flights of stairs to the top deck where the first mate is manning the wheel, at the highest point on the ship's deck.
Who's the king of the world now?
Ocullos makes his way down to the captian's quarters.
Megol climbs up to the crow's nest, which is actually the highest point on the ship, looks down at Ocullos, and yells, "I'm king of the world!"
Quickly tries, as unobtrusively as possible after he's been hushed, to catch the captive Fairy's eye and tip her a wink. Also, he looks for open portholes or skylights, and any route in or out of the captain's quarters, and stores this knowledge away. (Fairies should not be in cages.) If he sees anyone looking suspiciously at him, he'll act toad-toxin-goofy and turn somersaults in the air following the Hobbit out of the room when he goes, and trying not to let the door hit him in the butt on the way out. Once there's nobody around to hear, he'll ask Shipy, "What's wrong with mentioning Sirina Whats-her-name Pirate Lady? If the first mate knows, then the captain should and then... but what about the Fairy? In a cage? That's just wrong!"
"Hi Ebony. This is nice to be out adventuring again."
"Nothing like the feel of the ocean winds on your face," Ebony says in agreement. There is definitely something liberating about being on a boat, with the world a watercolor to be read and interpreted at one's whim. "The seamen on this boat seem particularly unhappy," she begins, and looks at Shipy in inquiry. "Do you know why?"
Eventually Shipy stops beside Jax, who doesn't look as bad as before, his seasickness having subsided, possibly in part to Jay's spells.
Jax would have taken his gloves off to halve his chances of his symbiont's absorption of one of Jay's spells. Regardless of his actions, I assume that Jax's Talo Tattoo Worm absorbed no spell this day.
"Sure Jax-o, but we best be all sneaky and clandestine about it. Under cover of night, cloaks and daggers, etc. We can't just walk down to the hold and have a look at a coffin, yeah? Not spooky enough...."
"Let's save it for later, grizzly dude. Here comes Shipy."
"We're at yet another scenic viewpoint, Jax!"
Jax turns around to look dead-ahead. He turns back to Shipy. "Funny, all I see is water, but I take it you haven't come to wax eloquent on the scenery. This isn't all about a treasure hunt, is it?" he suggests. He casually catches Quickly's eye and defers to the Fairy if he wants to confront Shipy with what he knows. Meanwhile, he notes the absence of his brother and the Leprechauns. As Shipy responds (if he does) Jax continues to look down the length of the main deck for Taran.
Catching Jax's look, Quickly proceeds to get all in Shipy's face:
"So I'm very, very sorry to hear about Shipy Sr., but what's Shipy Jr. up to about Sr., and why do you need an army of Orcs and Leprechauns and Elves and Humans and Faeries and Skeletons and a load of Fairy-imprisoning seamen to go and find his watery grave, sorrysorrysorry, and what does that have to do with the Pirate Blade which you did say before was a real sword, and is it really? And how'd you get that note if Shipy Sr. was in his watery grave? So how do you know he's really there? Give me one good reason not to go back into that cabin, fill the bigman's arse with sleepydarts, and swashbuckle my way outta there with my kinswoman! I don't want to mess everything up, so I'll wait a little, but like I said, it's just wrong."
Angry Fairy = Muppet on Fire.
Olvarin nods in agreement as Quickly angrily protests the captivity of the female Faerie. As Quickly pauses for a breath, the Elf cuts in, "I'm inclined to agree with Quickly, Master Shipy. It seems terribly cruel to confine a free spirited Faerie in such a tiny iron cage. However, unlike Quickly, I can't fly to safety. So would you be so kind as to find out all you can about the Faerie's captivity, and then perhaps we can rescue her when we've successfully completed our mission and are safely docked at our home port."
Olvarin sighs, and looks over the side of the ship. Several dolphins sport at the bow of the ship, and the sight lightens the Elf's heart.
Ebony silently observes the animated Fairy and the subdued, but clearly no less moved Elf. "To see any creature imprisoned and not know the cause is difficult," she thinks, "but I have known a few pain-in-the-ass Fairies in my time, so I'll just wait and watch on this one."
"Give me one good reason not to... swashbuckle my way outta there with my kinswoman!"
That would be interesting, you know, to see a Fairy try to fly all the way back to land. Also how do you know the Fariy is not evil? Khara could have put it there just to piss you off. But OK, have fun, just remember that if they put a reward on your head, I'll be the first to come after you... (well probably not; I'd have to consult Winky).
AKA prolongly boring...
*L*
[Taran] inquires after a good place to stash their gear, and if there are quarters for them.
Just as long as we don't have to hot-rack.
The lower deck is dark and narrow as they head astern, following a narrow hallway with dozens of doors on either side.
Dozens? This ship is considerably bigger than I thought.
This gives Taran time to pick the best hammock....
Dibs on a top hammock.
"Don't give him no never-mind, Captain. He's been licking toads again."
Loved this. That's how the sport of cliff-diving was invented, you know.
If anyone approaches (crew or passenger), I'll say hello.
"I've been aboard ships since I was a little scrap. Not much has changed." He looks around then introduces himself to Jay.
"Hello."
"[T]here's a wind getting up. Gonna be a squall, I reckon."
Jay puts on an expression as if he is seriously considering this, but is actually thinking, "That's the last time I encourage someone." Oh well.
"Red sky in the morning, sailor take warning?"
Shipy leaves the captain's cabin to return to the main deck to find the others. He tells himself he isn't going to fall into the trap of keeping secrets. Everyone is in this together, and everyone shall have to know what is going on.
Hooray!
The Hobbit circles around over the deck, telling the group that they should gather around for a chat so that he can tell everyone what is going on.
Apparently, this is the briefing I was expecting, so I'll excuse myself from the conversation with Kambori and wait for Shipppy's [sic] speech.
"This is nice to be out adventuring again."
"Oh, sure."
"[B]ut what about the Fairy? In a cage? ...I don't want to mess everything up, so I'll wait a little, but like I said, it's just wrong."
"However, unlike Quickly, I can't fly to safety. So would you be so kind as to find out all you can about the Faerie's captivity, and then perhaps we can rescue her when we've successfully completed our mission and are safely docked at our home port."
Jay hasn't seen the captain's quarters, but can pretty easily figure out the situation from the conversation. "Fairy, as anyone who has listened to me drone on about lions for the past two or three years well knows, I'm no supporter of wrongful imprisonment, but are you certain of what you've seen? During my last excursion, the act of granting freedom to a imprisoned water sprite, or so we assumed, ended with it morphing into a demon and attacking us [c.f. Dangerous Creations --ed.]. Have you asked the captain for an explanation yet? Or talked to the Fairy to hear her side of the story? I suggest you hold off until this can be further investigated. As the Elf said, and you've agreed, waiting---at least until we reach a port---might be the best option. However, if it turns out that your story is accurate, and there is no suitable explanation forthcoming from the captain, I'll hold the swine down while you plug him with arrows."
[Here tarandracon launches an interlude that ultimately leads to a contest that delves into the heart of T&T® mathematics to answer the question: "What's the average value of a saving roll?"! --ed.]
"... However, if it turns out that your story is accurate, and there is no suitable explanation forthcoming from the captain, I'll hold the swine down while you plug him with arrows.
<APPLAUSE> Is that the voice of reason I hear resonating in the mists of morn?!? Heck, I think I've got a baby around here somewhere for you to slice in half if you've got a minute...."
The Fairy pulls himself together enough to respond to Jay and the Skeleton, and keeps an eye on Shipy to watch for a reaction. "I only just saw her... I couldn't ask the captain or the Fairy anything because I had to pretend to be all goofy on bufotoxin to help cover whatever-it-is that Shipy wants secret from the captain. And I said I'm gonna wait, Jack, but I wanna know what we're really up to here."
"I think I've got a baby around here somewhere for you to slice in half if you've got a minute...."
"You have Momentarily Mistaken Me for someone else."
"And I said I'm gonna wait, Jack, but I wanna know what we're really up to here."
"Then I suggest we use this opportunity to let the Hobbbit [sic] speak. The floor is yours, Shipppy [sic]."
Taran stares down at the eyes that look up at him and pauses. "Ahoy, as they say," Taran says in a volume just above a whisper. The figure intrigues him, and he doesn't immediately get a sense of danger from the encounter, despite the fact that the hooded figure is all but invisible to his Orcish HotVision™. He crouches down and places a hand behind him on the hilt of his broadsword. "Kinda dark down there, eh?" Curious, Taran pauses to see what the chance encounter will yield.
Taran stashed his backpack and shield in the adventurers' quarters, bound tightly in one of the lower hammocks. He isn't counting on airtight security here; there isn't much place to go with stolen goods on a ship floating at sea, so he isn't too concerned. Yet!
The captive Fairy doesn't act as if she notices Quickly; at least she doesn't openly acknowledge him. Quickly scans the room and notices a round window high against the ceiling, most likely designed to let air out than to let light in. It would be an easy access or escape route for any Fairy, but who knows what magical protections the captain might have.
After Shipy, Quickly and Olvarin have left, Ocullos knocks on Captain Jelsee's cabin door. After a response, he enters. The captain doesn't exactly seem all that pleased to have yet another visitor disturbing his quiet time. The parrot, however, seems happy to see Ocullos.
"He's a pretty girl, he's a pretty girl!" squawks the brightly colored foul-mouthed parrot, walking around on the captain's desk and cocking its head in an odd manner to get a better view of the vertically challenged Ocullos.
"Thrill me again! What do you want?"
The adventurers gather around Shipy at the bow of the Night Gail.
"What's wrong with mentioning Sirina Whats-her-name Pirate Lady? ...what about the Fairy? In a cage? That's just wrong!"
"Ummm, well, it's like this, Quickly. I am paying Captain Jelsee to take us there and the more problems we encounter, the more moola it costs, you see? It's wise not to let everyone know our business unless you have some reason to trust Captain Jelsee more than I do?" The Hobbit squints to look closer at the hovering Fairy, then shrugs at Quickly's second comment. "As for the caged Fairy, I have no idea. Having been caged once myself, I remember that I didn't find it all that appealing."
"The seamen on this boat seem particularly unhappy. Do you know why?"
"Maybe they were expecting more time in port. I dunno, but I haven't been on board long enough to know their likes and dislikes. Truthfully, I don't even know them."
"Give me one good reason not to go back into that cabin, fill the bigman's arse with sleepydarts, and swashbuckle my way outta there with my kinswoman!"
Shipy laughs uneasily. "Woah, mellow out little guy! Don't get your wings in a twist. I will explain everything." He checks his breath since Quickly is in his face.
With uneasy side glances at everyone else who comments, Shipy resumes. "Anywho, as I was saying, this adventure has several twists. Yes, we are heading to the island of Shu-Tzen, and yes, there might be treasure in the temple, but just as likely, we might encounter pirates, dangerous Sea Elves and other ancient guardians." Shipy pauses to look at everyone. "Yes, Shipy Sr. is indeed my father, and the note I carry is from him. He originally started this quest by looking for the famed Pirate Blade of Rahnian. Little does Dad know that the Pirate Blade of Rahnian actually contains a horrible creature. A Balrog to be exact. (GM Note: imagine the Balrog from The Lord of the Rings movie.) So, you can imagine why I want to find him and stop him from completing his quest, as his very life may depend upon it. The famed Pirate Blade of Rahnian was placed in an Elvish temple within the Oberonian Jungle on the island of Shu-Tzen for a reason: not to hide it, but to contain its fury.
"As for Captain Jelsee and his scowling crew, they have been paid, but for all I know, they could be pirates." Shipy ponders that statement. "Pirates are like rats; they seem to be everywhere you look these days. Better to be safe than sorry, but for now we do need Captain Jelsee. It would be a long swim either way without him, and I doubt any of you have ocean navigating skills. I am sure you see my point."
"You should have seen Shipppy's [sic] mother!" He laughs. "You... you... you're making less sense than usual, but...in a cute way!"
"Cute?!"
"I don't know what you've been smoking, Buckwheat, but we've got a serious problem here. Look, I gotta get some liquor before I end up like you." He laughs some more.
Two sailors walk by talking to each other. Their brief conversation goes as follows:
"This ship is legendary. Invincible I think."
"Yeah, well, just ask Leonardo DiCaprio. Even the big ones go down."
"Leonardo who?"
(Shipy goes into dreamland, where he is just lying around, never working, without a care in....)
"Shame on you, boy! Put some damn pants on, and then pull 'em down! 'Cause it's time for a spanking!"
"Get a load of Captain Bringdown! Woah! But I wanna play in the mud, and be a lay-a-bout, Daddy!"
"Never! What you need's a good, long hitch in Khazan! Working the streets like a good little sneak thief. There must be a Khazan enlistment tent around here somewhere!" Shipy Sr. lays down the bare facts for his son. "If I'd have left it up to your mother, you'd have ended up in a hellhole like this, just lying around, never working, without a care in your head."
(Shipy drifts away into another daydream where two Hobbit chicks are feeding him grapes....)
"Oh, Shipy, you're so wonderful and handsome," she says, blinking her eyelashes.
"Shipy, will you teach us to make...."
Shipy smiles in an ephemeral moment of blissful oblivion.
"Kinda dark down there, eh?"
The hooded grayish-black figure almost seems to act as if it is going to let the encounter end without a comment or incident, but that is only a ruse, like a lion watching its prey as its prey watches back thinking it is safe, when in fact it is anything but safe. The figure doesn't see Taran's broadsword, its hilt in his hand. Taran's only real mistake is crouching down.
A whip shoots up from below and wraps around Taran's neck like a coiled python, silencing any attempts to shout for help. It then jerks hard, pulling Taran forward. Even with his momentary loss of balance, Taran draws his broadsword in one motion and cuts the whip as he falls forward into the cargo hold. The remainder of the whip still coils tightly around his throat. Taran knows from experience that falling on someone is better than falling to the hard floor, so with a little push as he falls, Taran manages to land squarely on the robed figure with a crashing thud.
His broadsword still in hand, Taran doesn't see any other figures on HotVision™.
What do you do?
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