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

OTA - Plotting Against the Serpent

[kalmaleader]

[Ever since being stuck on this island, Qubine's priority had been to deal with that sea serpent that the villagers had warned about. As far as he was concerned, that was the only thing keeping him from simply flying back to Fayren. He couldn't say as much for the rest of the marooned crew.]

[The other concern was the lack of powers. While he is confident in fighting without his elemental abilities, he isn't sure if anyone else was able to. To be as prepared as possible to face the serpent, he needs to find out by speaking with the crew. He paces back and forth as he addresses them.]

We're all painfully aware that our powers are disabled on this island. While I can still hold my own even without my elemental abilities, I would request assistance in dealing with the serpent out there. I would be willing to allow a few people to ride on my back, if they have any combat skills that can be utilized.

[He stops, turning his gaze to them.]

I'm also open to other suggestions, if anyone has any.

Re: OTA - Plotting Against the Serpent

[youfool]

[OOC: assuming that his adventures with the rock/Trunks don't change anything significant, i.e. he's still a normie.]

Alas, I won't be much help against Leviathan at present. My labors are better spent here, trying to break enchantment.

[And even if, by some miracle, he got his powers back, he'd like to be more conservative with them, lest anyone connect him to future-crimes. He believes in everyone else's ability to handle things.]

Re: OTA - Plotting Against the Serpent

[light_of_willpower]

[OOC--Likewise, we have to see how the Rock-thread pans out.]

I can hold my own in combat, and I'm used to being in the air--albeit usually under my own power. I can also swim. Got any kind of plan, Qubine?

[Trunks liked the dragon--he'd always been nice to talk with, and was so different than Shenron. Not least of which because he didn't disappear.]

[kalmaleader]

I'm assuming that, with our powers disabed, you are no longer able to fly? How well can you fight without powers? How fast can you swim?

I don't have any solid plans just yet. I'd like to learn what everyone is capable of first, and then we'll form a plan together.

[light_of_willpower]

Against an opponent who's humanoid? So long as they're not super-powered while I'm still not, I could fight and win. Against the sea-serpent? Never tried, and not gonna let that stop me. I can probably swim pretty fast, but that may not mean anything against a sea serpent.

[All matter of fact.]

[kalmaleader]

[He appreciates the honesty.]

You may be right. Swimming may not work well for most. [Though he doesn't think it'll hinder him much...] Neither would trying to fight it with a boat if our current situation is anything to go by.

...We could also possibly wait until we find out exactly why our powers are disabled here. If we can fix that, that may be the wiser course of action.

[om_nom_namur]

Shit, none a y' dumbasses knows how t' fight a seaking. This's painful.

[Namur laughs.]

The hell y' gonna do t' it from the air?

[kalmaleader]

[...And the dragon will turn to him with one of his icy narrow-eyed glares.]

...And I suppose you do? If you have any ideas, please share them. As long as I can use my wings, I can fight it from the air. Without my powers, I only have my teeth and claws to rely on. What about you? Do you have anything besides your sharp teeth?

[om_nom_namur]

Sure. 'M a hell of a lot smarter'n that dumbass, I'll tell y' what. An' usually I'd let the rest a y' plot an' plan an' figure yer the better brains for the job but maybe this time my 'xperience eatin' shit like that for breakfast most a my life's gonna do us a bit more good, aye?

Gimme a chance t' get close 'nuff an' I'll have the damn thing drowned in a matter a minutes.

[light_of_willpower]

How do you drown it?

[Trunks hasn't faced a seaking before, but he's faced plenty of other foes.]

[om_nom_namur]

Gonna do somethin' t' it that's mean as hell an' that I'd rather not live t' see turned 'gainst me later, so if y' can't work it out on yer own then let's jus' say it's Fishman magic an' leave it at that, aye?

Get the merman t' help me while y'all's tryna poke it with a stick or whatever.

[youfool]

[An exasperated chuckle ripples off Ted.]

Oh good Lord, this again. Forgive Namur; he's a history of piracy, you see, where mutiny and other kinds of casual treachery was common.

[Yes, he knows his wasn't as bleak as the kind depicted in Treasure Island, but they get that rap for a reason. Ted turned to him.]

Namur, with your keen senses, I've to question why you recruited any you suspected of wishing to kill you. Not the sort of stock one would want for a rescue mission, eh? If that's what you'd like to avoid, then it'd behoove you to deprive us of good reason. If ever we bay for your blood, this self-serving secrecy will be why.

But more than that, you are, for all intents and purposes, our captain. Meaning the welfare of the crew ought to be near and dear to your heart. Meaning if your goldfish brain cooked up some brilliant strategy, then for God's and their sake, please, share with the rest of the class, should they find themselves in better position to carry it out than you.

Again, if you're going to be captain, the least you could do is act the part. Let's not have the present rhyme with the past.

[That's his way of saying, "Remember when you were secretive about Teach?"]

[kalmaleader]

I only have one pirate in my clan, and he has a history of being a blockhead. But you know he's a true pirate when he'd rather sail the seas on a ship that can never hold his weight than fly with his own wings...

[Which is proof that, for all intents and purposes, Malus is a blockhead...]

At any rate, I'm going to have to agree with the blonde human here. Namur, if your idea helps us to defeat that serpent and get off this island, I highly doubt anyone would kill you for it. If you need me to fly you out there to get close enough to that thing, I'll gladly do it.

[om_nom_namur]

[Namur listens to his chastening quietly, his only movement steady breathing and the occasional thoughtful trace of his fingertips along the gills on his cheeks.]

Both a y' brings up good points. Naw, don't think none a y's gonna mutiny over this here plan t' get out t' sea. 'S other concerns I got. Even if I trust y'all, word gets 'round, catch me?

Anyway, if y'all's gonna defer t' me as Captain in this matter, then fine. Ain't got any intention a losin' none a y' t' that damn snake, but that means I'm gonna send the right folk t' the right place an' y' don't argue the point. An' if it turns out that my super genius plan backfires, then it ain't no good havin' y'all keep gettin' rekt still tryna carry it out. Come at it alert, with yer own options, in case mine gets scuttled.

So folks is sayin' our future barbecue's guaranteed t' come 'round if someone tries t' leave the island, aye? So we'll make a raft, toss as much a the crew on it as possible, make it look like we really think we're gonna get 'way with this shit. When Lunch shows up, me an' Bastien'll head under, Qubine an' Trunks, y'all go up but stay low 'nuff t' be pests. Yer gonna take the heat off the raft, which in turn's gonna take the heat off y'all, an' so on. Do yer best t' keep 's attention divided. Want a few folks stayin' ashore, too, for uh. Crowd control. Y'all's noticed this place's fishier'n Fishman Island, so maybe nothin' happens, but maybe we wind up fightin' the folks here t' boot. 'S yer job, Ted. Keep the island folk from gettin' t' sea. Y' got the quickest mouth, an' I think yer the one best suited t' keepin' 'em from gettin' mixed up in our shit. Take Winter with y' for backup, but don't let her stop y' from doin' whatever y' gotta do, catch me? With any luck, won't take more'n half an hour, an' we'll be dinin' fine on freshass seaking steaks. How's that sound?

[youfool]

That's almost better. Will you be very inconvenienced if I spoil it for you anyway?

[He's pretty sure "go for the gills" is the gist of it.]

Well, not to invoke despair or ruin anyone's fun; I know boredom and frustration are getting their way, but please, have a little more patience. Once I know all about the island, then you may have your full way with the monster, assuming it exists. It's not as though killing it would solve what we originally meant anyway, eh?

There's no need to fork our efforts so soon. We've time. Give me that, and once my prong is done, you'll be best suited to handle yours.

["Done" meaning either he succeeds or winds up brainwashed and/or dead. Wouldn't want to darken things by invoking an implicit possibility of failure. He stood up, resolute and confident.]

I've a good feeling; I'm very close now. But if you insists on fighting when you're not at your best, I can't really stop you. Why you think Winter means to stop me I don't know, but having her manage the mob is a good idea. Doubtless she'd enjoy working her authoritarian charms. Haha, well, as close as the woman can get to enjoyment.

[He'll assume she's not here if Namur's being so cavalier about her future temperament.]

"The blonde human's" two cents.

[light_of_willpower]

[Trunks just kept himself quiet, listening and mulling things over.]

I can definitely make myself a pest, even without my powers. If nothing else, I can take a decent amount of punishment and be alright afterwards, not that I really want to get beaten up thanks.

[But Trunks had a lot of experience at it, and whatever was dampening their powers hadn't seemed to effect his just being half-saiyan. Which meant while his ki-based abilities were disabled...his being borderline-super-human physically, wasn't.]