I WANT YOU TO JOIN ME IN A MYSTERY RESCUE MISSION!

[om_nom_namur]

[Sometime around mid-month, a text message goes out to the general public.]

WANTED

Adventurers strong enough to brave the high seas
Doctors, healers, and those inclined to render aid to the suffering
A worthy crew
Explorers
Those inclined to solve mysteries

Interested Parties Report to The Maelstrom at Fayren Harbor
Anchor Weighs at Dawn June 20

*~*~*~*

[Dawn at the Docks - June 20]

[In spite of the early hour, Fayren Harbor is bustling with activity as the darkness thins. Fishermen who've been out all night rush to bring their fresh catch to the market, while others who will be out all day race to be the first out to sea, and first to the best fishing spots. At the far end of the harbor an enormous clipper towers above the everyday ships, drawing a crowd of gawpers who, after being yelled at a few times by the workers hurriedly trying to load her, have the decency to stand back and let those who look to be on official business move freely. At the top of the gangplank a man with a clipboard hurriedly checks lists and directs those bringing cargo aboard, while an oversized, burly man with blue skin and shark features watches, balancing in a crouch on top of the rail. Though he isn't saying much, there's an air of authority about him. For any wishing to enlist, the fishman would seem a good person to talk to.]

[Fair Winds - June 20-21]

[When the supplies for the expedition are loaded and the tide is nearing its peak, Namur hollers for all hands to gather on deck for a quick briefing, the sun beginning to crest the horizon and make the sails glow as he speaks.]

A'ight y'all, thank y' for answerin' the call t' come an' help. We got a whole colony a folks that's gone missin', an' I ain't gonna lie, I ain't got any idea what we's gonna be in for once we reach the island. No one's been able t' get there since they gone, or at the very least ain't no one bothered comin' back, an' folks is worried they mighta met a dreadful end if y' catch my drift. This voyage's gonna be dangerous, but I know we's up t' the challenge. Whatever quarrels y' got with each other, leave 'em on these shores, cuz from now on 'til we make it back we's all on the same team, workin' for the same goal. Watch each other's back, keep each other safe. If we do that, there ain't nothin' that's gonna keep us from hittin' our target.

When we get there, there might be folk that's sick, or maybe they don't want us botherin' 'em, or maybe somethin's already botherin' 'em an' they'll need our help gettin' rid a the pest. We done our best t' have somethin' ready for everthin' we could think of, but that don't mean we thought a everthin', so look sharp an' keep yer wits 'boutcha! Any kinda weird shit make sure t' report it t' somebody, preferably me or one a my kin. Enchantments an' curses ain't outta the question here, so if y' see somethin' strange, say somethin'. Easy as that.

Meantime, I 'xpect all them that knows their knots t' make theirselves useful gettin' this ol' girl t' run. The rest a y's gonna make yerselves useful in the galley, keepin' shit clean, an' learnin' the ropes. Don't wanna hear no bitchin' 'bout chores, we's all gonna be doin' 'em, so don't even start! Don't be stealin' each other's shit, an' definitely don't be showin' yerself for a shitty traitor. Them's the rules! Don't like 'em, get yer ass off the ship!

All that said now, let's get this baby out t' sea 'fore we lose our tide!

[There's plenty to do, both in getting the Maelstrom away, and in keeping her plunging dauntless through the open waters. Keeping sails trim, keeping the decks clean, keeping the crew fed. And plenty of opportunities to get to know the other members of the crew a little better. Namur will encourage those that don't know how to sail to learn from someone who does. It'd be a shame if all the experienced sailors became incapacitated without passing on at least the basics.]

[The Storm - June 22]

[There'd been some good cloud cover the day they set out from Fayren, enough to mottle the sea with sun and shade and provide a strong wind to speed their rescue mission. But the further from shore they ventured, the thicker the clouds became, and soon the experienced sailors would likely find themselves watching the sky with trepidation. Distant thunder rolls over the waves, until suddenly and without warning the wind abruptly shifts direction, and the distant storm bears down on the clipper with astonishing ferocity. Namur screams to be heard above the wind whistling through the shrouds.]

ALL HANDS ON DECK! GET YER ASSES TIED T' THE SHIP AN' GET THEM SAILS STOWED NOW! THIS AIN'T A JOKE OR REQUEST!

Comments

sorry for the wait!

[genpcs]

[They look hopeful for a moment, but it's quickly replaced by worry.]

We could never ask you to risk your life that way. Please, Sir Dragon. Stay here and live in peace. There are plenty of animals to hunt in the forest, even for you, and you'll want for nothing here.

[The children have been quiet up to this point, listening attentively while pretending to continue going about their work. But they glance at each other, then each turn and regard Qubine with a determined set to their jaws.]

[kalmaleader]

[Qubine glances at them, determination in his eyes.]

You won't need to ask. This is something I do. I intend to return to Fayren one way or another, and honestly, you should as well. The people have been fearing for your safety for over a year, and it's unbecoming of the royal family to abandon them.

[genpcs]

[They've been afraid, and then patient up until this point. But when Qubine refuses to believe them, and then worse, attack their character- for the father, it is the last straw. He glowers a bit, and turns his wife away, indicating that she ought to get back to her business and he will join her shortly. The children are already too busily going through the motions of their chores. They weren't staring, nope, not them. Then the father faces Qubine, a stern frown upon his face, his arms folded across his chest.]

We've already told you we've lived here all our lives, we all have. How dare you call us liars. You are the one being deceived, and you can throw your life away fighting that wretched snake if you like. Do not go to your gods and say that we didn't warn you or offer you an alternative.

[He huffs and turns, following after his wife. The children, too, gather up their work and quickly trail after. It seems, for now, that the conversation is finished.]



[But later that afternoon, the young girl timidly approaches Qubine, alone.]

Um, excuse me? Mr. Dragon, sir? Are you really going to fight the sea serpent?

[kalmaleader]

[Well, that last comment almost makes him want to abandon them. If they're so keen on staying, he has no reason to force them to return. He'll let the family walk off, but he's not letting that comment go without a retort. With a fierce roar, he dashes in front of the father, turning to face him and blocking his path.]

Take a look! Do I really look like the joking type!? If you think I'm going to sit here and rot on this speck of dirt, you are sorely mistaken! But if you want to stay here that badly, that suits me just fine! But know this - I don't fight to throw my life away, I fight to survive! You got that!?

[And then he'll storm off himself. When the little girl approaches later, he's calmed down enough to glance at her curiously.]

We will. Not just me. Do you know the other people who were washed up here with me? I'm certain they'll want to combat the serpent as well, and some of them are just as powerful, if not more so, than I am.

But why do you ask? Do you think that somewhere in your heart, you believe in the former identity of your family?

[genpcs]

[Qubine's fit has what one can only assume is the intended outcome. A lone man with no weapon or magic to combat such a wild creature is bound to be more than aware of his own mortality in that moment, and subsequently overcome with terror, though for his part, he bears it well. He won't deny a feeling of immense gratitude to any and every deity that may or may not exist in the world that the dragon decided to leave rather than eat him or his family.]

[The daughter, the suspected princess, ducks her head and blushes a bit.]

I- that'd be really presumptuous of me, wouldn't it? I mean, it sounds a lot more interesting than shaving coconuts here for the rest of my life, but. A princess? That's...

[She shakes her head.]

No. I mean, I don't know. I don't think you're lying that you think that's who I am, but I don't really know how it's possible, I guess.

But the reason I came to talk to you is that I- we, my brother and I that is, we just want to get off this island. There's no one for us to marry but each other and I don't know how it is where you're from, but to us that's pretty gross. And there just has to be more out there in the world. And we want a chance to go see it! But that dumb serpent always messes up people's boats and eats them. Always. It's like it knows the difference when someone is going out fishing and when someone is going out to leave. We've been building our own boat anyway. If you guys are going to fight the serpent then... well, that would be a good time for us to try and sneak away. If there's anyone in your group that would maybe want to come with us, who maybe knows how to actually sail, that would be... Well, I mean, they're welcome to come along. If they aren't already going to be fighting the serpent, that is...

[She covers her face with her hand.]

I'm doing really bad at this, ugh.

[kalmaleader]

Hmm...

[The dragon settles down, lying on his belly.]

Honestly, I'm rather confused about the situation myself. What we do know is that, coinciding with an attack from the ice mage known as "Frostbolt," a year and a half ago, the Royal Family of Fayren has been missing ever since. Needless to say, the people have been worried, as that was a long time for the Royal Family to be missing. Many were even wondering if they were still alive. If they had been kept captive, they surely would have escaped or been rescued long ago. But here, without memory, it sort of makes sense. Still, what confuses me is that Frostbolt doesn't seem to have any association with this place...at least not at first glance.

[He paws at the ground a bit, raking some of the dirt. He looks down at the girl, regarding her carefully.]

There certainly is more out there in the world. Even if I am mistaken about you being the Royal Family, even if your father was speaking the truth about you being born and raised here, it'd be foolish to not want to explore the world.

[He gives her a bit of a stern look.]

All of us who were washed up here...we all took this sailing mission together. That serpent caught us by surprise, but now that we know it's out there, we can devise a strategy to defeat it. I would suggest that you wait until the serpent is dealt with. And then we can sail back to Fayren with anyone on this island who wishes to come with us.