Skiff Combat: Round One: Devlin

Devlin watches as the raiders board his ship. A couple of gnolls are already on the main deck, armed with bows and magical incantations.

"Attention crew of this elemental ship." One of the gnoll shouts in heavily accented common. "You are under attack by the illustrious Bomu clan of warriors! We're here to take your cargo. Cooperate and no one gets hurt."

The Bomu clan? Devlin wonders. Why would the Bomu clan choose to board a vessel so near the docking towers? These pirates are either desperate or they are working for someone. Someone who wants to get a hold of the Boromar merchandise.

Devlin quickly examined the grappling hooks Gian told him. These hooks were holding the Ravenstorm in place. There were four other pirates on soarsleds hovering over the ship.

"Damn raiders!" Devlin muttered as he quickly reaches for the helm. "Coreen should have hired a couple of extra hands."

The war wizard firmly grasped the ship's wheel of wind and water and turned it to the left. "Let's hope the ship doesn't break or Gian will kill me."

The Ravenstorm immediately responded.

It shook briefly and began to tilt to the left side. Devlin continued to hold the wheel as the crew and the raiders fumbled, trying to get their bearings. The skyship continued to tilt to the left, until Devlin lost sight of the pirates riding the soarsleds.

The snapping sounds of wood and rope were heard from a distance.

* * *

The Ravenstorm manages to stay together. Under the strain of the tilting ship, two of the four grappling lines become taut and finally snap allowing the Ravenstorm to roll to the left. The sudden maneuver catches most of the pirates off guard.

Two of the humanson soarsleds fail to avoid the airship as it rolls away and gets rammed by the larger vehicle. Both pirates get knock off their sleds and their unconscious bodies drop towards the ground.

The other two pirates on soarsleds manage to avoid the tilting of the ship but effectively lose sight of their targets.

* * *
As the air ship makes its roll, most of everyone on ship is taken by surprise by the sudden movement. On deck, both Gian and Rourke successfully grab unto the railings and riggings on the ship and are able to steady themselves.

Two of the gnolls on the deck are not to lucky, they slide off and fall prone on the deck. Both gnolls lose hold of their bows which falls off the ship. One of the prone gnolls manages to grab hold of the ship’s rigging slowing his drop. The other gnoll is not so lucky and follows its bow off the ship.

The gnoll leader, however, manages to grab on to the ship’s ballista and steadies himself. Angered by the unexpected escape of the ship from their trap, the gnoll makes a run towards the ship’s helm in hopes of taking control of the ship.

On the skiff, from the aft of the Ravenstorm, the gnoll sorcerer commands one of his bodyguards to bring the skiff back and near the airship. He then manages to get out of the sand bat swarm just enough for it to cast a spell causing him to vanish from the skiff and appear on the Ravenstorm's deck, just beside the gnoll leader who has reached the door leading to the ship's helm.

Skiff Combat: Round One: Rourke

"She's kinda heavy for an elf," Rourke said. He tried to lift Rothaide to her feet.

"Allow me." Gian said as he easily lifted the priestess over his shoulder.

"I suppose we'll have to hide her for the moment...?" Gian asked rhetorically.

"But we might need her help..." Rourke protested.

"She unconscious and they're just gnolls on soarsleds." Gian retorted.

"Who are trying to board a ship of this size? - They're being overly confident." Rourke reasoned out loud.

"Gnolls. Not very smart." Gian said with a grin.

"Oh...right." Rourke conceded.

Rourke had already been fumbling around his pockets.

"Still we can't be too careful." Rourke said as he pulled out an ornately carved bar of wood.

Rourke traced the arcane symbols on the schema and his figure began to dim and fade into transparency before completely disappearing.

"I'll keep incognito ‘til I'm more sure what we're dealing with, if you don't mind." Rourke's voice came from thin air.

"After you..." Rourke directed at Gian.

* * *

Though invisible, Rourke carefully made his way along the ship’s deck. The booming sound from the side of the ship caught his attention. Looking at the port side of the ship, he finds a small skiff floating just below the Ravenstorm and maneuvering towards a large crack at the cargo area.

From the ship’s railing, the warmage can make out the occupants of the skiff – a human and two gnolls. The human and one of the gnolls were likewise armed with long bows. The second gnoll was unarmored and Rourke easily identified spell component pouches on him and the scroll he presumably used.

It is this that Rourke concentrated his attention on. A few moments later, a small swarm of bats made of dust appear on the skiff and immediately attack the spellcaster, as well as the gnoll guard; eliciting surprised shouts from both gnolls.

The commotion causes the other raiders to turn towards the direction of the skiff.

Sixth Sense

It was all sudden, one moment she was enjoying a sip of tea and now they’ve been boarded. The crew, who were mostly men, quickly led her to her room at the bottom of the ship.

Rothaide tried to protest, but the war mage insisted she stay hidden, presumably for her own protection. Memories of her dead comrades came flashing through her mind. "I am not going to lose this crew die," she swore to herself.

Holding down on her pendant with boldrei's symbol of a lighted hearth inscribed on it she reserved a short moment of prayer.

"Gnolls." she told herself. As a devout follower of the void, Rothaide was gifted with an almost infinite sense of her environment, even places beyond her line of sight. This gift became both a blessing and a curse, for the elf was force to watch the people from her former ship to suffer and die.

Now she sensed the infiltrators board the ship. There was no doubt that she was needed upstairs, as more of the infernal creatures arrive.

Rothaide quickly stepped out of her room and made it to the stairs.

Once she reached the stairs. she saw the main deck and the infiltrators hovering in air with their sky-sleds. Each of the attackers were carrying projectile weapons.

"Mother boldrei protect us"

Grappled!

The Ravenstorm lifts off from Precarious and heads up into the sky. At the helm, Devlin navigates the ship from the Docks at the lower side of Sharn and maneuvers it towards the higher towers.

Rothaide and Rourke are both sitting in the ship's galley. The elf priestess just made a fresh pot of Verinn tea and hands a cup to the war mage. Rourke begins to read through the scrolls that Vago gave to Devlin. The war mage sips the tea and begins to formulate a strategy for the crew to get in and out of Regalport.

Suddenly, Rothaide gasps. Rourke looks up from the other side of the table and saw that the elf's eyes have turned white.

Something is wrong, Rourke thought. He knew Rothaide long enough to know that this is a sign that the Void Disciple is experiencing one of her visions.

“Roth?” Rourke asks, wary that he might disturb the elf causing her to lose her vision.

“Steady yourself.” Rothaide whispers as she grabs hold of the large table in front of her.

The war mage quickly follows the elf's warning. His hands barely touch the table when the ship suddenly gives a hard lurch. The cutlery and coffee mugs fly off in various directions and spilling their contents on the floor.

Suddenly the ship becomes still. Rourke realizes they’ve come to a dead stop. He takes a moment to check on Rothaide. The elf is now standing beside the table but still lost in her void trance.

The sound of footsteps causes the war mage to check at the galley’s entrance. From there, the figure of Gian appears.

“Are you two alright?” The artificer asks as he surveys the room. “We’re…

“… under attack” Rothaide finishes the human’s sentence before losing consciousness as her trance ends.

* * *



After making sure that Rothaide is safe and secure in the Galley, Gian and Rourke quickly make they way to the forecastle deck.

From where they’re standing, Rourke can easily make out two of the four grappling hooks that Gian told him a while ago. They looked like they were tied to the towers around the ship and held the ship in place. But it was not the hooks which caught his attention.

Three gnolls are on the forecastle deck. Two of them wearing leather armor, wielding long bows which are pointed towards the crew. The third gnoll is in a partial metal armor and wields a bastard sword.

“Attention crew of this elemental ship.” The gnoll with the bastard sword states in heavily accented common. “You are under attack by the Bomu clan! We’re here to take you’re cargo. Cooperate and no one gets hurt.”

As if to emphasize his point, a gnoll and three humans flew down from the sky. They are riding on soarsleds. - crystal platforms capable of flying within the boundaries of the city. Each of them aim their bows at the crew members.

From the side of the ship, a cracking sound can be heard and the ship buckles once again.

Pre-launch Compliactions

Devlin and Coreen stood at the deck of the Ravenstorm. The bookkeeper had just informed the half-elf that all the Boromar merchandise had been loaded and secured.

"You should have asked Popora to pay us five thousand in advance," Corren purred as she followed Devlin's gaze down at the docks. She saw the tiny form of Zonnos confidently striding out like he owned the port.

"You know this just covers our payables and debts," the bookkeeper said as she pretentiously waved goodbye at the halfling lord. "We still need to stock up on our supplies."

"I know you can stretch the leftover money for a few days," the wizard replied as he brought out a scroll from his handbag. "You're good at it."

"I'm a bookkeeper, not a miracle worker," Coreen quipped. She then noticed the scroll on Devlin's hands. "Please tell me you got a loan from the Kundarak bank."

"No," Devlin answered. He unfurled the scroll and handed it to the bookkeeper. "Something else."

Corren quickly scanned through the contents of the document. "Angela Krin d'Lyrandar?" She muttered as soon as she reached the end of the scroll.

"That's what the scroll said," the wizard muttered as Coreen handed the parchment back to him.

"Angela your cousin?" Corren asked, her eyes gleaming with curiosity. "The same Angela who was supposed to be your wife..."

"She's not my cousin," Devlin quickly defended. "She's a very very distant cousin."

"This is the same girl whom the House Lyrandar elders arranged for you up to marry?" Corren asked, trying to hide her smile. "To protect and strengthen the Lyrandar bloodline."

"It wasn't meant to be," the wizard angrily retorted.

The bookkeeper crossed her arms and leaned over the ship's railing. "Are we going to have problems going in and out of Regalport?"

Devlin scratched his chin. "That'll depend on how I deal with Angela."

Corren sighed and patted the wizard's shoulders. "Then we'll have to go there and talk to her," she answered. "You ready to go?"

Devlin looked at his assistant and nodded. "Let's go finish this job."

A Final Meeting

The loading of the containers continue well into the night. Coreen and Gian checked the transfers. As workers hauled the final crate, a skiff descended onto the landing bay.

Zonnos and a pair of his shifters emerged from the skiff. Rhe young Boromar lord and his followers boarded the Ravenstorm. They looked over the last container before heading towards Devlin.

“Lord Boromar. Is there anything I could do for you?” Devlin cordially greeted the halfling.

“I wanted to wish you good luck on your mission and tell you that I have no hard feelings.” Zonnos gave a wide smile. “I know that you are going into a dangerous situation, and I want you to know you have the support of our entire clan.”

“However,” said the Boromar lord, “Even if you fail to find my sister, or – Sovereigns forbid – you find her too late to help, you will still have an ally in our clan.”

Zonnos gave Devlin a friendly wink. “I trust I am clear in this matter?”

Four Scrolls

The Regalport Scroll

The Lhazaar Principalities is a nation of factions that vie for supremacy. Its population is primarily human, with strong gnome, half-elf and changeling presence.

Dozens of princes control land and ships in the Principalities. Ryger ir’Wynarn is the best known, since he represented the Principalities at he thronehold discussions. Ryger seeks to unite the Principalities into a true nation, but has met with strong resistance from the other lords. Prince Ryger’s flagship, Dragoneye, makes it home port at Regalport.

The Seadragon principality Is typically regarded as a backwater corner of the continent. Its population trades in local animal products and minng for Eberron dragonshards though. Being far from the main land though, the Principalities have become a common meeting place for smugglers and other scoundrels. The local government is tolerant as long as it gets its cut and one of the local folks gets killed.

Aside from Prince Ryger’s Seadragons, other groups include vicious pirates of the Cloudreavers, the mercenary Diresharks, the changeling Gray Tide, the Bloodsails of Farlnen, the half-elf Wind Whisperers and the well-intentioned Heavenly Fleet.


The Plague Scroll

The plague appeared three weeks ago and quickly swept the Principalities. It is assumed to be airborne, and those affected are seriously weakened. The symptoms of the plague include fever, dehydration (resulting in crusting about the mouth and eyes), general weakness, and the thickening of the fingers and tongue. Repeated exposures can kill and individual.

The first indication of the plague occurred when a cruise ship from Regalport showed up in Valenar, its crew too weak to land. The ship was boarded and impounded. The Lyrandar fleet was sent to keep a lid on the Principalities as healing supplies were prepared to help those trapped in the city. Several ships, mostly pirates, fled Regalport before the blockade was fully in place, but for the past two weeks nothing has arrived or left the Seadragon Principalities.

The origin of the plague is unknown to those on Regalport.


The Lyrandar Fleet Scroll

Officials of the Dragonmarked Houses contacted the Lyrandar fleet to secure the area until a sufficient response could be mounted. In response, the fleet has assigned the airships Resolute to patrol the area. Nothing gets on and off the city without the Lyrandar fleet’s permission, and so far the only things that it allows are protected Lyrandar and Medani forces. In addition to the Resolute, the fleet employs a dozen stormships to help maintain the blockade.

The contact at the Lyrandar fleet is Angela Krin d’Lyrandar. A note describes her as a frustrating, officious bureaucrat.


The Mika ir' Boromar Scroll

Mika is the second child of Popora ir’Boromar. An illustration of her shows a young, bright-eyes halfling with greening eyes and yellowish blonde hair. Popora has entrusted particular missions to Mika, as much as he has to Zonnos. Although Zonnos is expected to take control of Popora’s holdings once Popora steps down, Mika figures prominently in her father’s plans as well. He hopes Mika will add a subtler touch to her older sibling’s decisions. Mika’s interests include foreign cultures, history, and magic, all of which would serve her well in such a rle.

Mika was on the Principalities for two weeks before the plague broke out. She was negotiating with a collective of dragonshard miners for 1% of their yearly haul in exchange for transport to Sharn on Popora’s ships. The notes on the Principalities geology come from Mika’s reports back to her parent and sibling.

Once the plague broke out, all contact with the Principalities ceased, resuming sporadically only with the arrival of the Lyrandar forces. Popora’s aides have contacted the Lyrandar Dragonmarked house but have received no response concerning any halfling on the city. A quoted section of the report uses the phrase “… more important things to do than play nanny to some missing halfling.”

Mika last reported in from Regalport just before the plague. A couple of Boromar halfling bodyguards accompanied her.

After the Meeting

Following the reception by Popora, Vago once more greets the group outside the audience chamber, the warforged Herald at his side. The halfling then hands over four scrolls to Devlin. “Information on Regalport … information on Popora’s youngest child … information on the disease itself … information the Lyrandar blockade. We’ll be loading the medical herbs and spices this afternoon. You can take off by day’s end, or tomorrow at the latest.”

Vago and Herald then lead the group out back to the landing bay where the airskiff is. From there the group is shuttled back to the Lyrandar docking tower.

Upon landing, Vago lowers the ramp. He then produces a pouch at his side. “Oh one last thing. You’re going to need your medicine,” he says, a slight smile spreading across his face. “It doesn’t have a pleasant taste.”

The halfling hands over the pouch to Rothaide, which the elf hesitantly takes. “There are ten vials of vaccine. Those are for you and your crew, as well as for negotiations with the local population. I suggest, however, that you save at least two doses for Mika.”

Coreen meets Vago and Herald on the deck while Devlin proceeds to the ship’s helm. Gian and Rourke, on the other hand, prepare the ship to leave the docking tower. Rothaide, meanwhile, heads for the medical room to take care of the vaccines.

Under Devlin’s direction the ship carefully makes its way towards Precarious to where the Boromar warehouses are located. Once the Ravenstorm arrives, and has carefully secured itself floating under the magical lifts and cranes, Vago signals the warehouse laborers to start loading the containers of herbs and spice unto the Ravenstorm.

The Wrestling Match

“It is a simple fight. No weapons are allowed. First one who gets wounded loses.” Zonnos states much to the other shifters’ cheer.

The shifter named Tamara lets out a howl in the hopes of intimidating her opponent. Gian ignores the attempt and calmly removes his coat and gives it to Herald, leaving him unarmored in a sleeveless white shirt. He then takes on a defensive stance opposite his opponent.

Unfettered, Tamara likewise assumes on her own attack posture, at the same time her body seems to change – seemingly growing to almost seven feet tall, her skin taking on a tougher appearance and fingers transforming to claws.

“First to get wounded loses.” The shifter repeats as she looks at her claws and shows them off to her opponent. Shouts of approval erupt from where the others shifters are.

Gian simply gives a small nod and pushes back his eye glasses.

Angered by the simple gesture the shifter pounces at the smaller human; her two claws leading the charge attack.

The artificer simply sidesteps the initial attack, and dodges with expertise the second claw.

Infuriated at not being able to connect, Tamara renews her attack, changing her tactics by getting closer. A short jump takes the shifter closer to her opponent. A raking claw of her right hand to Gian’s face causes the human to step a bit to the left to avoid it. The movement saves him from the attack but puts her into the path of the second claw which rakes towards the artificer’s midsection.

::dragonmark::

A dark blue light flares out from Gian’s arm and elaborate skin patterns appear on it just before the attack connects with flesh. The shifter’s claws bounce off harmlessly as if blocked by some sort of invisible field of force.

At that time, a gasp is heard from one of the Aereni elves.

“The Mark of the Sentinel.” Popora laughs as pleased by the revelation. “Impressive Master Lyrandar. You didn’t tell us that your bodyguard is a member of the House of Dennith.”

Taking advantage of the distraction, Gian punches at Tamara’s midsection. Taken by surprise, the blow connects but to no effect as it fails to penetrate the toughened shifter hide.

The shifters at Zonnos’ mat lets out a howl while Tamara conceitedly yells with them.

Gian raises an eyebrow and nods in understanding as if he just got an answer to some mental computation he’s been doing and goes back to his defensive stance.

::smite::

Tamara howls back and once more pounces on the human. Gian on the other hand simply thrusts out his hand towards his opponent’s chest. The two combatants finally connect for a second neither one makes a move.

::wraithstrike::

The shifters claws targeting her opponent’s face but stops just inches before reaching her target. The human however had his fingers extended and buried deep up to the palm into the shifter’s right shoulder – human flesh penetrating shifter.

The audience chamber is silent until the first drop of blood falls on the floor. It is only then that Popora gives out a hearty laugh.

“I guess I win!” The older halfling lord calls out to his offspring. “I’ll be collecting soon Zonnos, my child.”

The younger halfling bows to his father and leads the Shifters outside the chamber to take their wounded to be taken care of by the Arenai elves.

“But for now I think we have a business deal to finish.” Popora turns back to Devlin and his crew. "Captain Lyrandar, bring back my child."

Fight Conditions

Devlin studied the menacing shifter, ignoring the brute's attempt to intimidate him. He shifted his gaze towards Zonnos. The young Borormar lord was itching for a fight, his eyes gleamed with excitement and pleasure. He threw a mocking smirk back that the war wizard.

"Wrestling?"

A familiar voice echoed across the chamber. The word hung in the air as everyone turned to face the speaker.

"That's hardly a challenge fit for a spellslinger." The stranger continued as he tilted his head and blew smoke into the air.

Devlin smirked as the stranger began to casually walk into the dimly lit audience chamber. He was smoking a stick of Black pit Blend, exhaling a veil of smoke towards the menacing shifter.

"Rourke," Devlin said to himself. "Always late."

The stranger's steps filled the audience chamber with the scuff of soft leather boots. Rothaide whispered a soft prayer of mercy in elvish.

"Now if it were 'who could burn the most shifters where they currently stand...with a gesture'-- that would be more appropriate."

Vago waves the guards off and addresses everyone in the room. "This must be Timothy O'Rourke, a warmage of Karnnath. Another companion of the Captain d’Lyandar." Vago chimed in before his master's curiosity could turn to annoyance.

"At your service." Tim quipped.

"Where have you been?" Devlin muttered to his former war compatriot.

"Got tied back at Precarious," the warmage whispered back. "Good thing Coreen told me where you guys are."

"Excuse me," Zonnos interrupted the two war veterans. "I thought we were in the middle of a wrestling challenge."

Devlin and Rourke turned towards the young halfling Lord. "Normally we prefer to settle things without the use of violence and force," the half elf wizard replied. "But we can make an exception in your case."

Zonnos gave mocking smile as he signaled the shifter to step into the center of the chamber. "Go choose your fighter," he said to Devlin.

Devlin gazed over Gian and nodded his head.

“Be careful but likewise be quick.” The wizards mentally instructed the artificer.

“I will.” The young artificer nodded back.

"I guess I will be wrestling her." Gian thought back to Rourke and walked to face the challenger.

Zonnos stands up and lifts his goblet as acceptance and thereafter addresses the combatants.

“It’s a simple fight. No weapons are allowed. First one who gets wounded loses.” Zonnos states much to the other shifters’ cheer.

“So it’s Tamara against the one called Gian. No aid shall come from anyone else. “ The young halfling lord adds as he looks directly at the half-elf captain; causing the latter to step back and away from the artificer.

Enter: Rourke

"Wrestling?"

The word hung in the air as everyone turned to face the speaker.

"That's hardly a challenge fit for a spellflinger." The stranger continued as he tilted his head and blew smoke into the air.

At the sight of the newcomer, two of the shifters at Zonnos’ mat quickly moved to shield the halfling lord. They took on a defensive stance, ready to pounce at the new arrival.

The stranger began to casually walk towards the audience chamber, parting the veil of smoke he'd just exhaled. His steps filled the audience chamber with the scuffle of soft leather boots. Faint wisps of smoke trailed behind the stranger as he puffed a finely rolled stick of Black Pit Blend.

"Now if it were 'who could burn the most shifters where they currently stand...with a gesture'-- that would be more appropriate." He rambled as he stopped beside Devlin.

From the main mat, the Aerendi elves moved to cover the older halfling. A handful of halfling guards marched towards the front of the mat.

Vago waved the guards off and addressed everyone in the room. "This must be Timothy O'Rourke, a warmage of Karnnath. Another companion of the Captain d’Lyandar."

"At your service." Tim quipped

The guards and elves returned to their usual positions, but their eyes more alert than before.

"And my talents are far more...elaborate than mere wrestling - As I'm sure the wise Popora Boromar already knows." He continued as he bowed his head low. "I humbly request you spare your son and his...entourage this harsh lesson."

He then turned to let his gaze fall on the shifter and marked her with piercing eyes.

From within Rourke's mind came Gian's voice: "You're drunk again, aren't you?"

"Hey, you wrestle him." Rourke thought back.

A Penny for your Thoughts

Gian was wary of Popora ‘ir Boromar. From his past dealings with Saidan 'ir Boromar, he knew that one had to be very careful when dealing with any member of this halfling clan.

The young artificer allowed Devlin to do all the talking, so he sat there together with the half-elf and Rothaide in the middle of the audience chamber, and kept calm and simply watched and listened. He could still feel the copper piece in his pocket and knew that the infusions he placed on it earllier were still functioning as he had intended.

When he noticed Devlin’s eyes turning towards him, Gian opened his mind just enough to receive the half-elf’s thoughts.

“What are the Shifters up to?” The half-elf asked via the telepathic bond provided by the magic of the infusion.

“It’s hard to say. Talenta is a roundabout language,” Gian replied as he pretended to adjust his eyeglasses and stared back at the half-elf. “But basically, as far as I can tell, they’re just throwing insults at us and mimicking your conversation with Popora. Do you want to hear the details?”

Devlin gave an almost imperceptible shake of his head in disapproval.

Gian continued to watch and listen to the Shifters make fun of their group. Suddenly he hears the younger halfling warn his Shifter companions

“Heads up, Captain. Something’s about to happen.” Gian warned Devlin.

It’s then that Zonnos gives out a loud burp and addresses his father. The two halflings exchange words and finally come into a betting agreement.

“I take your bet, my child.” Popora tells his child before facing Devlin and his crew. ”Guests, is there one among you to prove young Zonnos incorrect? Does anyone care to wrestle a Shifter?”

“Wrestle, Captain?” Gian mentally asked Devlin; at the same time the artificer was already taking inventory of the resources available to him