Dragon's Egg - Act I

[Legendary Sidekick]

((Should the big fish's rolls still be -2? The only thing I'm sure of about 'Intimidate' is that I can only use it on one enemy at a time.))

 

[Steerpike]

The fish demon still moves frantically, turning aside blows from Matthew and Baldhart, its fetid breath coming in gasps. Again the actions of the two melee combatants occupy the creature's attention and it is the ranger's arrow that finds its mark. The arrow pierces one bulbous eye of the thing, splattering vitreous humor onto Matthew. Half the length of the arrow disappears into the fish demon's skull and it lets out a dull croak, shudders once, then pitches face-first onto the deck.

Rydh slips in behind Ankari and places his hands on the ranger much as he did with Baldhart. The ranger experiences the same warmth, the same knitting of wounds, the renewed vigor that comes with Rydh's healing magic.

The ship's crew have her under full sail again, and the vessel surges forward with the wind. If there were any other fish demons lurking in the cold water, they are not to be seen. Crewmen move to gather the remains of the half-eaten sailor on the fo'c'sle, and to tend to the body of the fallen boy.

((I went ahead and resolved it, since the action above was enough to kill the fish demon. Since there is no combat, we'll go back to more informal posts rather than a 24-hour period where we wait for everyone to have a turn. The Fish Demon leader was still at -2, but I subtracted it mentally since I didn't type it into the roll. It didn't make a difference in that instance. For future reference, the Intimidation will last as long as the person or creature is in Baldhart's presence)).

 

[Phietadix]

As the battle is resolved I limp down to the deck to see what has happened to the poor ship's hand.

 

[Steerpike]

Matthew finds the young boy who seemed so enamoured with Baldhart surrounded by his comrades. Many of them took an almost fatherly liking to the lad, as he was the youngest aboard by far, and there are no dry eyes among them. The fish demon's harpoon and chain still lay on the deck, and two of the ship's hands are attempting to remove the barbed tip from the boy's throat without further damaging the body. The deck is tacky with drying blood, spread in a pool around the boy's neck where he fell. His eyes are glazed, and one of the ship's hands trying to remove the harpoon draws the lad's eyelids shut with a sweep of his palm. The mood is somber, though the various hands standing around the body quickly return to their duties, moving in a purposeful, business-like fashion, leaving only Matthew and the two hands working with the harpoon by the body.

 

[Ireth]

I stay with the captain and Rodrico, anxiously watching the former and asking the latter, "Is there anything I can do?"

 

[Steerpike]

The captain waves his hand at Cadell, indicating he is fine, and grunts what may be a thanks. Rodrico says "Thank you for helping me move him. I do not think these wounds are life threatening, and I have some skill in tending to such things. Please feel free to return to your companions." He cocks an ear. "From the sounds of things, the engagement is over."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

I run to the boy.

"All he wanted to do was talk to me... I should have..."

You did nothing wrong, Baldhart.

I did nothing. Not until it was too late to save him.


I face the boy for as long as I can bear, then turn to the others.

"Ankari, that was an excellent shot. Rydh, thank you. Sir knight, I admire your bravery--I saw you charge the big fish and his minions alone. Though I did not leave you alone for long, you did not know we would follow your charge, nor did you ask us to. It was an honor to fight at your side--all of you, gentlemen."

I want to find out the knight's name, but first--

"I'll be back."

--after I get out of this bloody dress!


You sounded rather manly when you said you'd be back.

Really Nissa? Must you?

I only wish to cheer you up.

It was a noble attempt.

 

[Ireth]

I nod and leave the room, emerging on deck in the pale sunlight. The stink of corpses overpowers that of saltwater; I look around for my companions, and walk carefully toward them across the bloody deck. My gladness at seeing none of my fellow warriors wounded is hampered by the sight of the dead boy they surround, still with a harpoon in his throat. I bow my head in silence. The boy should not have died -- not so young, seeming so new to his station.

I raise my head after a few solemn moments, glancing around the deck. Many of the fish-demons' corpses still sport my arrows in their hides; I wonder whether to retrieve them now, or talk to my companions first.

"You all fought bravely," I say, looking to each of them. My arrows can wait for the moment.

 

[Ankari]

The For'c'sle cleared quickly, leaving Rydh and me alone with the dead giant fish demon.

"Thanks for the heal. I thought I made too many enemies." I smile to take the bite out of my words. "You're a priest, I'm sure you've dealt with the dead. I would suggest you take the body to a private holding and remove the barbs from his neck. It's a gruesome task that only one with strong will can handle. Keep the harpoon for later inspection."

I take in the scene before me. Blood, salt and water splashed across the wooden floor to create a slippery surface. With deliberate movement, I kneel over the big fish demon and retrieve my arrows. When the bloody task is complete, I inspect both bodies for anything unusual.

 

[Sparkie]

I join Ankari in searching the fish-demon's bodies, chatting as I do so.

"I've never 'handled' the dead as you say, though I have lit pyres in the past. I think the boy will have his burial at sea. Such is the custom among human sailors, no?"

I wander over to the smaller of the two fish-men on the foc's'le, and I see an unusual-looking blade near the creature's severed hand. I pick it up to inspect it...

 

[Ankari]

I shrug. "Who knows. Human culture is as varied as the gods they worship. Remind me to inspect the harpoon later."

 

[Ireth]

Receiving no response from my comrades, I slip away to retrieve my arrows, holding the collar of my tunic over my nose to guard against the reek of the bodies. Only when my arrows are cleaned and returned to my quiver do I return to the others. I wonder whether to unstring my bow, fearing more of the fish-demons will attack. At least for the moment, the sea is quiet.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

I return to the deck wearing only my armor and the portions of my dress that I didn't tear from my body, either due to the minimal blood stains, or to prevent me from exposing myself in public.

That didn't stop you when you went shopping for supplies.

Nissa! Will you ever let me live that down?


I see that the men are searching the dead. Two of the kills are by my sword--one singlehandedly--but unlike the men from my mountain, I would never squabble over who killed who. I hope that the men feel the same way.

Do you think you're too trusting, Baldy?

The man holding the stone dagger that wounded me deeply is the same man who healed my wound. I deal only death in battle. He deals life. Of course I am going to kill more enemies than a healer, or what good am I? It's not a matter of trust but a matter of gratitude.

I approach the healer first.

"Rydh." I hand him a flask full of ale--"From my mountain."

Oops! He's a cleric! How awkward!

What are you looking at me for? I only know the rules for Brynhild's priestesses.

"Um... you didn't take some sort of vow not to drink, did you?"

 

[Sparkie]

"Of course not," I say with a smile. I take the flask with flourish and tip back a long swig. It's good stuff. Only after I hand the ale back to Baldhart do I remember how sick I was before the fight. Oh well. If it comes boiling back up the pipe it's my own fault.

"Thank you, Baldhart. That's generous of you."

Just then I see the elf that had aided me with Bior's fish-monster looking around the main deck. I nod towards him and ask Baldhart "Did you get his name?"

 

[Phietadix]

I see the grim reaility that the ship's hand is dead. I look to the two hand's helping me remove the harpoon from his body and ask.

"How would he have liked to be buried?"

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"No," I say to Rydh, "but we should meet him. Ankari was suggesting earlier that us lone travelers should stick together, and after what we've just been through, a party of five sounds pretty good. That would mean…" I hand Rydh back his ale and gesture toward a case of five more to clarify that it is a small gift. "I brought just enough for everyone!"


Everyone? There is a case of six. Certainly, you don't expect me to drink one.

No, Nissa. But the one it is intended for cannot drink it either.


I head toward the archer. I assume Rydh is following me. "Rydh, do you mind if I stop here… to say a few words?"

I kneel down by the boy. "I am sorry we did not get a chance to meet. I would have shared a drink with you—" I turn to the men of the ship. "—that is, if you gentlemen would have approved."

I place a flask in his cold hands.


His spirit is safe, Baldhart.

I pass on her message. "His spirit is safe. The demons can destroy our bodies, but not our spirits. He is in a better place now. Please tell me about the boy. His name. His life. I must know…" The tears are flowing. Guilt. I am responsible. I distracted him. I ignored him. I murdered him. "…please, I wish to be part of his burial."

Weakness. It was a mistake to stop here. My vision is blurred. Indecision. Rydh get me out of here. Someone ask me to help. I kneel by this boy I don't know like a sobbing fool. Mother was right. I need a man to tell me what to do.

 

[Ireth]

I turn at the sound of a woman sobbing, and see Baldhart kneeling by the dead boy. Why does she weep so much, I wonder, for one she could not have known more than three days?

I walk to her side and speak softly. "Do not think you are at fault for his death, Baldhart. The one to blame is the demon whose weapon pierced him."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

I don't look up. I simply hold up a flask for the elf knight.

"Thank you. I brought this is for you." Be strong. Face the man you're talking to. "It is from my mountain." Stand up. "I didn't know who the ale was for when I packed it. But now I know it is for you."

I regain composure. I pass a flask to the human knight.

"I have one for you, too, sir." Smile pretty. Yes, you look cheerful. "I am—" Don't speak to me aloud! "—Baldhart… and how should I address you, brave knights?"

 

[Ireth]

I graciously accept the flask -- an honorable gift, to be brought all the way from her homeland. "Thank you, Baldhart. I am Cadell."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"Cadell. It is a pleasure to travel North with you."

Such wisdom in his eyes!

He's old.

He doesn't look old.

He's much older than you could imagine, human.

I imagine you're way older, valkyrie.

That's not my point, Baldy. You're seeing so much for the first time. Learn from an elder.

"What brings you aboard this ship? Surely you did not intend to go fishing for demons!"

Don't tell jokes to an old elf! He must have heard that one before!