[IC] Keratia: Blade Maiden’s Exploits

[Lucius Cypher]

The pixie jumps, drawing the splinter and aiming it at you. From the way she holds her makeshift blade however, it was painfully obvious that this pixie was a novice with any form of sword. And even if she wasn't, a blade that small would only truly hurt you if she manages to stab you in the eye. "D-Don't get any closer! I'm just! I'm just-" As she spoke, you could hear faint rumblings from the pixie's stomach. Despite her small size, it was an audible noise. "Speak nothing of it! I am a mighty hunter, I can gather my own food! Sass me and I will show you my wrath!" She barked and shouted angrily, but her diminutive size, injured state, and rather notice stance made her look more like a fool than a threat. She knew this well as she collapsed on the floor in defeat. "Please kind miss, if you intend to capture me, at least do me the honor of offering me food. Even clean water would suffice... I've not been able to eat in days due to those nasty cats! Look at what they did to my wings! Those surly beasts! They should know better than to harm a mighty creature like me!"

[Expolar]

This felt oddly familiar, as the pixie shouted at Caeda in a poor defensive stance as she would soon reluctantly surrendering due to fatigue. Almost as if looking into a mirror as the pixie reminded Caeda of herself when she was a child. But seeing as the pixie is trying to act tough and serious while in its injured state, Caeda felt like plaing along, but the pixie looks to really need some help. She reached into her bag as she brought a bit of rations and her waterskin, initially bringing them in case she felt the need to snack and drink. She opened her ration to give a piece out that should suffice for the tiny fey's size and held her waterskin at the ready to help assist the pixie with drinking. "Here, these should suffice. I admire your bravery and will to survive for so long, especially with these cats seeing as they caught a few stowaway rats. But why are you on this ship?" Caeda gave the pixie some time to enjoy her meal and when she almost finished. She wondered how well the pixie's wing would recover, but for now, she introduced herself as "Caeda Bryberos, is what you may call me. What may call you?"

[Lucius Cypher]

The pixie continued to maintain a strong facade by refusing your food, but her hunger got the better of her. You gave her a piece of bread and a single dried fruit, both which despite hardly being a morsel for you, were slightly larger than the pixie's own head. The waterskin was more difficult for her to drink but tipping it just enough for a little to pool at the lip would allow the pixie to eat and drink her fill. Once she had eaten the food and drank your water, she put her sword away and sighed. "My name is Othie. I... I was trying to escape. I don't know how I got on this ship honestly..." She looked back at her wings, trying to flutter them but even a small twicth caused her to wince in pain. "An evil man captured me and other pixies. He used iron spikes to pin our wings so he can harvest our pixie dust. I was only able to escape during a heavy storm and... And after that everything went black. When I awoke I was here, and already out at sea. My wings hurt, I can hardly use any of my magic, hungry... Alone..."

[Expolar]

Seeing and now understanding the amount of distress Othie must have been for the past few weeks, Ceada had to do something more. With current state of Othie's wing, it had to be tended by some doctor, but the closet would have to be Buggsy. She was initially uncomfortable being near the bugbear as she would hear stories of bugbears being dangerous in their hunting and raids. She would avoid eating any of his food, but after the second day of growing hungry enough and knowing her own rations would not last the entirety of the travel over seas. Then there was the fact that would explain before why Sticky would probably share his food. Begrudgingly she tried to suck in her pride to eat something, although her stern expression made it look as if she was shooting daggers. But at least to herself only, the food wasn't really as terrible as she expected. With this in mind, maybe Buggsy had some idea of how to heal Othie's wing as she did hear he has at least some basic training, which may or may not be more than what she knows.

However she thought, her duty as night watch had to be paused as someone is in dire need. She was going to pull her gauntlet hand for a moment, but stopped as her other hand, although gloved, would still be more of a comforting look than gauntlet. Caeda lowered her hand down to Othie to sit and rest as Caeda could carry her. "As a Bryberos and guard of the night watch, I will make sure you're safe. So please, we must find someone who can tend to your wing."

Once Othie would hop onto the palm of Caeda's hand, she brought the pixie close in a very protective manner. Caeda slightly turned her head away and called the the helmsman that she is needed down below the deck. As she try to make her way towards where the head chef, Buggsy, should be. Before stepping to where he should probably be, she readied and told Othie in sylvan, but if Othie somehow didn't understand, would go back to speaking in common "Before I make this finally turn, don't be alarmed by Buggsy's appearance. He is actually the chef, and how I see it, its the most important job on the ship as he provides food to everyone to make sure they stay well. So he is the closet that I can think of who could better examine and maybe find a way to attend to your injured wing."

[Lucius Cypher]

Othie was hesitant to go onto your hand, but with a bit of wincing she clambers on and allows you to carry her, though she seems to try and hide as much as she can in her current state. Down below deck many of the sailors were asleep, though Buggsy was working hard into the night. The men can't survive long voyages on the sea on hardtack alone, and while supplies and resources were limited, the bugbear knew how to make due with what little he has as long as he puts the time into it. The kitchen was painfully small especially for someone as big as Buggsy, but there was at least enough space for you enter. Upon seeing you, Buggsy puts down the rolling pin he was using to knead some dough, giving you a stern look. "Oi, kitchen ain't open. Ain't you one of the nightwatchers? Ya better not be here to steal any food!"

[Expolar]

"Like I would eat..." Caeda had to bite her tongue before saying something she would regret, especially it was about to be a rude comment on his food. The sudden accusation from Buggsy tested her temper, but Caede was trying to catch her breath as she focus as to why she came down her for. With Othie hidden with Caeda cupping her hand around the pixie, Caeda calmly spoke "Buggsy, I am suppose to be on the night watch. But there was an injury that I saw that has to be treated now than later. So do you have any medicine or anything that can help heal a severe tear to a limb, one comparable to the size of a pixie's wing? And if so, then can you treat it? It would require precise hands. Which, with your cooking and my extra eyes to help, I think we can help treat the injury." Caeda waited to hear Buggsy's response, still hiding Othie until she can hear a definite yes that he could treat Othie's injury. Once agreed, would be when she reveal Othie to the bugbear.

[Lucius Cypher]

Buggsy's attitude receded when you mentioned an injury. "Hmph. Well, I'll need to see what I'm dealing with first. But I can fix anything short of dismemberment and death. Lots of sailors getting rips and burns from handling rigging or just breaking themselves trying to carry heavy loads. Sure as hell ain't gunna do that in my kitchen though. Who's wounded?" The bugbear cleans his hand with a cloth, putting his utensils securely in a drawer as he changes from his cooking apron to his surgery smock, which looked similar except his surgery smock had more old bloodstains. Questionable why he has such a thing in the kitchen, but that wasn't important right now.

[Expolar]

Seeing how confidence Buggsy was about this, Caeda was feeling a bit reassured in his ability to treat Othie. Although the surgery smock looked overused, she tried her best to think of the bright side of this like, perhaps it shows Buggsy having experience, but what if ... no. Caeda mentally told herself that she has to help Othie. As of now on the ship, Buggsy may be the only best one on this ship that could help treat the pixie. Slowly, Caeda's moved one hand away to reveal Othie resting on her hand. "Can you fix her broken wing? please tell me her wing can be treated and eventually be healed to work once again." Still Caeda believes that there is time to have the wing treated, but the idea of it be a possible permanent injury is slowly scarying her if it becomes likely.

[Lucius Cypher]

Buggsy was visibly surprised to see a pixie in your hands. He looked at Othie, than you, than back at Othie as he goes to wash his hands and face. “I won’t promise anything. I can fix a man but I’ve never fixed a little fairy before.” He clears off his counter, laying out a clean towel. “Put her here. She needs to lay down in her stomach so I can see her wings.”

The process was long and arduous. Buggsy makes it clear multiple times during the operation that he’s never done something like this before, so much of what he did was improvised with his conventional surgery knowledge. And after three grueling hours of carefully mending, suturing, and securing Othie’s wings, Buggsy was done. Using toothpicks as splints and your own hair to gently bing the wings together, Buggsy was able to not quite fix Othie’s wings, but ensure that they will make a full recovery. “She won’t be flying for a week at least, possibly more. Healing magic will accelerate her recovery. Lucky for you were hitting port in a few days, maybe she can find a healer in town. Anyways... That’ll be ten sovereigns (10gp).”

[Expolar]

Caeda stood watching and tried helping from what she could see through the whole treatment. As she watched over Othie, she kept a closer eye on Buggsy. Still she had trouble trusting a bug bear, but as Othie's wing appeared to have a better state than initially found, Caeda gave a deep sigh of relieve as she gave him a very thankful expression. Then Buggsy mentioned the price for the treatment. She looked away as she reached into her bag for ten sovereign, but while looking away from Buggsy, her facial expression appeared annoyed. She felt that the good deed would have been enough, but decided to not make too much trouble of it and handed over the payment.

Once finished, Caeda decided to go back to the deck of ship to continue her night watch, that and felt that Othie would be safer and watched. Especially those cats that could come crossing through, see Othie and attack the pixie. So for most of her night shift, she would try to wait up until even dawn for when someone else could arrive to take her place. This way, Caeda and Othie could spend the time later in the morning to rest and then catch up with their sleep and should.

[Lucius Cypher]

Othie was very quiet during the operation and even afterwards. So quiet you might've though she was asleep, but anytime you'd watch over her she seemed to be looking at her wings which hung low down her back. "They feel heavy..." Was all she really had to say about it. Hours would pass without much trouble sans a storm in the distance. The few men on deck with you say that it's likely unavoidable, so there'll be rough sea's ahead. But sure enough dawn would come and you'd be relieved of your post. The sailors ate their morning meals and before too long the ship was abuzz with activity as sailors worked to get the ship ready for the oncoming storm. Naturally, you'd be allowed a serving of breakfast as well. Nothing particularly fancy, just biscuits and gravy served with a side of boiled greens. If you were willing to put in the extra silver, you'd even get some sausage and a hunk of cheese with it. Othie didn't express any personal desire to eat, so what you'd do this morning is up to you.

[Expolar]

During the day of the approaching storm, Caeda spent a gold piece for some extra food for today and following days as she wanted to make sure she had some spare food for Othie. Although the pixie would mention that she would not eat and was quite small in comparison to the person, Caeda still bought the extra and mentioned "I am still buying you some food, regardless of your mood. Starving won't help heal your wing faster and would only make you feel weaker, but eating should help give you some energy. Especially once we're on land and find someone to heal your wing. You're going to want some energy when you start flying again." As the storm approached, Caeda remained in her room with Othie, as she thought the storm may be too much for the tiny pixie, especially for the pixie's current state.

Seeing Othie's current mood and concern on the weight on her damaged wing, Caeda decided to spend most of her days in her room with Othie resting nearby to keep her company and not feel alone, reminding Othie that she is always free for a chat. Not only was the pixie small, but still recovering that Caeda wanted to make sure Othie remained safe from anything dangerous, like the cats that she mentioned that attacked her. Usually when Caeda did have to go somewhere, she tried take Othie with her and hid the pixie in her backpack.

[Lucius Cypher]

Othie would eat a surprising amount, eating enough food to satisfy you. This was a far cry from how little she ate when she first met you, but perhaps that was just because of the energy she'll need to properly heal. As the two of you ate, Othie seemed to be a slight more cheerier, at least enough to engage with you in conversation. "So... Miss Caeda, where are you going? Do you have a place you call home? My home is the great crystal woods. The trees there and grow shiny gemstones that make even the night look bright. I used to live in a nice crystal before... Before I was captured." Talking about home seemed to make Othie a bit sad as she took a few bites out of the cheese.

[Expolar]

As Othie eventually became more cheery, Caeda was a bit overwhelmed by the sudden talkative personality compared to when they first met when she tried to threaten Caeda to stay away. But seeing how positive Othie's mood has become, simply smiled as her pixie friend fired every question and thoughts. Once Othie quieted down and became a bit gloom, spoke up. "Well, I was born and raised in a place called Bayrest. Most of the people living there have elven ancestry as it can especially been seen through the culture there. I'm glad to call it my home as it was indeed quite the nice place." Caeda too found herself reminiscence her home and began to feel a bit homesick. But perhaps that was why she felt uneasy with a few of the crew on the The Sea Wolf. The crew members really weren't that bad, but leaving home for this ever presence unending feeling to travel east, misplacing her own feeling of confusion wouldn't help, especially when stuck on this ship.

Caeda pondered this, but then realized that she may have been in her thoughts for too long and now found her attention was down to the gauntlet than initially on Othie. "For where I'm going, east is all I know and I wish I knew more than that. But how about this Othie. Your home really sounds wonderful, especially from how you describe it. So how about I help you return home? No one should be taken away from their home if that is where they wish to stay. Do you think you would be able to find some direction of your home if we use a map?"

[Lucius Cypher]

Othie seems excited. "That would be wonderful Caeda! I don't know where my hope is on a map, but I'm sure once I have my magic back, I'll be able to sense where I need to go. Ever since I was taken I felt lost, but I'm sure once I'm back in nature my powers will return to me, and with it my way home." But just as Othie says this, you hear a loud crashing above deck, so violent it nearly knocks you over. You start hearing whistles throughout the ship, the signal that you were under attack. Footsteps could be heard rapidly running around the ship as men and women were called to arms. Sticky opened your door, his axe in hand. "Caeda! Sahuagins, dey here! They just nabbed a couple of da othas trying ta take prisoners, da bosses are trying ta kill dere beasties but we need every sword up top now!"

[Expolar]

With Othie reignited excitement, Caeda smiled. But before she could say any more, sound of trouble could be heard above deck. Caeda quickly stood up and checked the room to check if everything was intact and a place for Othie to stay safe. "Once we are in the Majadan Empire we will add a nature walk to our to do list. But first you need to find cover and safety." As Caeda was helping Othie find a nice place to find cover, that was when Sticky opened the door for help. "I will see you soon Othie." She said before turning away, stepping out, and locking the door. With her gauntlet hand, she Whipped her rapier out and briskly made her way up above deck. As she did, she could feel a familiar magical sensation from the gauntlet as the the moisture around her arm began to solidify, slowly coating it in a armored layer of protective dark ice. Once she was on deck, she looked around at the situation, deciding what to tackle first.

[Lucius Cypher]

The deck was swarming with Sahuagins warriors fighting various crewmen. On the bow of the ship you could see the bright blue sword of Azure slashing down some Sahuagins, as well as the captain himself armed with his cutlass and pistol fighting side-by-side with his first mate. Even the bugbear Buggsy was here, armed with a massive falchion that looks like a longed meat cleaver, using his superior reach to lop off Sahuagins heads. "Over there!" Sticky would shout as he spots a lone sailor trying to fend himself against three Sahuagins. Two sailors had ropes made of sea kelp wrapped around their necks they were struggling against as they were being pulled off the ship. Sticky shot at one of the ropes with his crossbow, freeing one. "We gotta help em!"

Hearing the commotion Buggsy is quick to charge at the sahuagins and slices his sword at one of the sea creatures. He slices off a notably chunk of fin, but it doesn't seem to really be much damage. The Two start to swarm Buggsy while the other drags the unfortunate sailor off the boat, tossing him into the sea as the fish monster gets back to the deck and readies himself for you and Sticky.

Roll

Buggsy (12/27) = 16
Sahuagin (A: 17/22) (B: 22/22) (C: 22/22) = 11
Caeda ((10)24/24) = 6
Sticky (11/11) = 4

Buggsy's attack vs Suhaugin A = 19
Longsword Damage = 5

Suhuagin A Bite vs Buggsy = 17
Bite Damage = 2
Suhuagin A Spear vs Buggsy = 22/10
Spear Damage = 6

Suhuagin B Bite vs Buggsy = 21/4
Bite Damage = 2
Suhuagin B Spear vs Buggsy = 16/5
Spear Damage = 5

[Expolar]

After seeing the how heated the current situation was, Caeda pulled out her dagger with her off hand and ran to Sticky's side to protect him. As she entered the fray of combat, she focused on the sahuagin that became focused Sticky and herself in hopes that the two of them could quickly dispatch of it. With her rapier, she tried to slide against the sea creature, but only now realizing the new thick layer of ice on her arm, her aim and time of her swing was off and missed. But with the wing of the miss, she tried to use the momentum to land a dagger into the the creature, but only found that her attack was off again.

Caeda's eyes quickly darted to her frosted arm as she was now realizing that the ice was there and a bit surprised as she felt a bit of cold, but thought it was simply cold outside. But feeling a bit vulnerable and open for attacks, she sensed a protective nature of this armored ice on her arm and quickly raised it as she prepared to defend against the sahuagins nearby.

[Lucius Cypher]

Your rush failed to harm the suhuagin's, but it does divide their attention a bit. Sticky tries to shoot one of them, but the violent movements of the boat cause his bolt to fly into the ocean, clearly missing his mark. Even Buggsy has a hard time chopping down his foes due to the violent waves and his own injuries, and his blade simply lands into the deck. The suhuagins however could smell blood on him, and one continues to attack him, biting into the bugbear's arm as it's spear cut into Buggsy's leg. The second Suhuagin rushes at you, his teeth and spear cutting into your flesh. Or would have, were it not for your armor of Agathys. Instead of drawing blood, the Suhuagin had a mouthful of painfully cold ice that began to spread from his jaw to his head. Even his spear had ice rapidly creep up to his hand and started to freeze it's arm. In that very moment, the Suhuagin was starting to freeze solid thanks to your spell.

But that didn't seem to dissuade the who rushed you. He took bit into your arm, and while his face also began to freeze, this time your armor breaks and blood is drawn. It was just a cut, but it was enough to whip the suhuagin into a frenzy and plunge his spear into your side, doing a considerable amount of damage. Things weren't looking too great when suddenly a massive shadow jumped from out of the ocean and onto the deck. The body of one of the sailors was dropped onto the ground as the suhuagin who just bit you took a hefty blow to the back of it's head, and soon the sea creature that had been nearly frozen solid shattered as a spiked shield pierces through it's body, leaving behind bloody chunks. Standing before you was the master-of-arms, Vehafor, a lizardman warrior. "Apologies for lateness. Saving others. Now, slaying monsters!"

Rolls and Info

Buggsy (5/27) = 16
Sahuagin (A: 17/22) (B: Dead) (C: 2/22) = 11
Vehafor (32/32) = 10
Caeda (18/24) = 6
Sticky (11/11) = 4

Sticky's Crossbow vs Sahuagin A = 5

Buggsy's Longsword vs Suhuagin A = 9

Suhuagin A Bite vs Buggsy = 15/16
Bite Damage = 5
Suhuagin A Spear vs Buggsy = 16/19
Spear Damage = 2

Suhuagin B Bite vs Caeda = 14
Bite Damage = 2
Suhuagin B takes 10 cold damage!
Suhuagin B Spear vs Caeda = 15
Spear Damage = 7
Suhuagin B takes 10 cold damage!

Suhuagin C Bite vs Caeda = 19
Bite Damage = 2
Suhuagin B takes 10 cold damage!
Caeda's Armor of Agathyst breaks!
Suhuagin C Spear vs Caeda = 22/5
Spear Damage = 5

Vehafor Morningstar vs Suhuagin C = 19
Morning Star Damage = 10
Vehafor Spike Shield vs Suhuagin B = 20
Spike Shield Damage = 5
Suhuagin B has been slain!

[Expolar]

As Vehafor he landed back on the ship and helped clear the sahuagins, Caeda simply nodded to thank the lizardman. But now seeing Buggsy as the most injured, the only real medical person on the ship and the one that helped Othie's wing. Cadea slid to Buggsy's side, her eyes lit like flames with a fierce thrust of her rapier went up through the the sea creature's bottom jaw, the tip of her blade just pointed out. Then in a swift movement, she dropped the sahuagin's body to the side and pulled her rapier out. She tried to help Sticky with the remaining sahuagin, but as she tried to stab the sea creature, the violent waves shook the boat enough for her to miss her piercing strike.

Rolls and info

Rapier (pact weapon) against sahuagin A - 27
Rapier (pact weapon) damage - 18
Dagger against sahuagin C - 10