9th of Eleint
Chapter 1: Orgel and Nevil’s Heart to Heart
On the main deck of the Siren, Sorrow is guarding the Captain and Burner. Both are tied up and bound to the mast.
Atalaya and Nevil are in the hold. Nevil goes to the blocked door to the room Orgel is being confined in and calls out to him. She offers him the job of guarding the prisoners.
The two have a rather long conversation about his curse and what he needs/wants to do. (Bits and pieces of it include…)
Orgel: “What does it mean? I have to learn strength through forgiveness.”
Nevil: “Think about what you have done and what may have been done to you. Who is owed forgiveness?”
Orgel shrugs.
Nevil points to the trinkets on his waist. “what do these mean to you?”
Orgel: “... Trophies…. (He has at least a braided length of whitish hair (has some red strands in it and a shrunken severed hand). I took them from enemies that maybe would have killed us.”
He continues, “It’s all I have left.”
Nevil: “You seem to define yourself by those you have killed. But violence leads to suffering and more violence.” Nevil smiles, “killing is easy. True strength is seen in what one chooses not to do.”
Nevil gestures upstairs. “Those captives are my trophies. I did not kill them.”
Orgel: “Why”
Nevil: “Because I didn’t have to. There is strength in choosing the challenge to bring goodness into the world. ”
Nevil: “Perhaps to find forgiveness, a good start would be to stop defining yourself by your trophies.”
Orgel: “Are you a shaman?”
Nevil: “No, more of a warrior priest. I follow the Goddess Eldith.”
Orgel: “Does your god smile upon you?”
Nevil: “Eldith’s grace has been extended to me more than I deserve at times.”
Orgel: “Would she help me?”
Nevil: “She would not turn away one who truly sought the path of peace.”
… Nevil continues to talk to Orgel, urging pacifism and extolling the ways of Eldath as a way to overcome his curse. …
Orgel: “In this form I will die. … I will try your way. I don’t know another way.”
Nevil: “You can learn. We all start from the beginning."
Orgel: “What if I return these things and those there try to kill me?”
Nevil, “I don’t know. I need to pray for guidance. My path is chosen for now. Your path may not be the same. But you can’t be left to starve.” Nevil considers, “perhaps the druid in the lighthouse would be an option?”
Nevil continues, “It can’t be decided tonight. But guard tonight with a warrior’s honor. Tomorrow at breakfast we will speak again.”
Orgel: “Alright. I will guard those two.”
Talking to himself, Orgel adds, “I don’t think the other gnolls will like this. They left me. Most of them are dead anyway. I will try this.”
Orgel is taken topside to watch over the two prisoners.
Once on deck, there is a discussion about where to keep the prisoners (and Orgel). Atalaya doesn’t want them on the Hond Ebrath and remarks that there is a hold full of chains and manacles right here. She thinks it would be appropriate to chain them up there. At least until we can properly prepare a place for them on the Hond Ebrath. She really doesn’t feel that they deserve any of the spare crew spaces on the Hond Ebrath.
Inman: “You are saving the soul of a gnoll now??
Nevil: “Well… yes and no. I asked some questions… Ultimately, it’s his path.”
Inman: “I just think it is kind of funny. It will be interesting to see how this shakes off.”
Nevil: “He’s helpless. It’s wrong to let him starve.”
Inman: “Do you think you are being tested?”
Nevil: “Everything is a test.”
Nevil: “It begs the question, what can I devote to this gnoll when we are going to save the world from f*cking evil. I really hope the Druid can take him.”
Inman: “Do you really think he can change? Not that it matters. Probably all be dead before we return.”
Nevil: “It’s worth trying, but it will be hard and take several acts of clear contrition.”
Inman: “Maybe it’s a sign from your God? …Strength through forgiveness."
Nevil: “Maybe.” Nevil looks sceptical,"I've never known you to be so philosophical.”
We transfer the usable supplies to the Hond Ebrath, especially the sailcloth. Also any edible foodstuffs.
Atalaya is very unsettled by the continued presence of the gnoll. (She does not feel that they are capable of changing their character.)
We plan to get some sleep, work on repairing the sails of the Hond Ebrath and tow the Siren back to Skyhorne. It is very slow sailing due to the damage to the sails.
Nevil spends the (rest of the) night in meditation. Eldith speaks. (GM whisper): open a path through empathy.
Chapter 2: Questioning the Captain of the Siren and Burner
As the sky begins to lighten, Nevil starts making breakfast. (And prepares a mostly raw chunk of meat for the gnoll.)
Sorrow enters the galley area and starts sniffing around. “Looks good, what is the occasion?"
Nevil: “Our Gnoll “friend” hasn’t eaten anything good for quite a while.”
Sorrow reaches to poke the hunk I haven't either.”
Nevil smacks his hand, “Bullshite! But I can show mercy to you too. I know how you like it. Grab some coals.”
Sorrow holds out some coals. They sizzle as Nevil drips the meat fat over them. Sorrow moans and eagerly devours the seasoned carbon.
Nevil takes the mostly raw meat to the gnoll and tosses it to him. Orgel is very grateful and falls upon it, eating quickly. She maintains guard of the prisoners while he eats.
Orgel: “Why are you being nice to me?”
Nevil: “Go take a break, get some air and eat your meat.”
He grabs it and the water skin Nevil gives him and goes up to the main deck to eat.
******
Atalaya has followed Nevil to the Siren and down into the hold. When she first enters the hold she checks to see whether or not the prisoners are still alive. They are. She is a bit surprised, but decides the curse is actually working as well as Orgel says that it does.
The Siren’s captain and Burner look pathetic and haggard.
Once Orgel leaves, Atalaya and Nevil turn their attention to the prisoners.
Nevil: “Do you want some breakfast?”
The men grumble.
Atalaya starts asking the captain questions. She wants to know who issued the bounty on the Hond Ebrath and crew, where they were to take any captives they took and when was the bounty issued, when were they supposed to be able to meet with the people to turn over any captives.
The captain becomes very surly and tries to pretend to not know what Atalaya is talking about, trying to keep up the pretense that he attacked us just because that is what pirates do.
Atalaya pulls out the bounty posting and starts reading it to him. Then she repeats the questions.
Captain: “Someone in Baldur’s Gate.”
Nevil: “Who do you turn them in to?”
Captain: “Man at the bar.”
Atalaya: “Which bar?”
Captain: “Wind Rose.”
Atalaya: “That’s a delightful place.”
Captain: “We like it.”
Nevil sighs, “lets make this easier.” She casts: Zone of Truth (lasts 10 minutes) Both the captain and Burner fail their saving throws. Both Nevil and Atalaya stay out of the spell effect radius.
Atalaya asks again who put up the bounty.
Captain: (Tries to not answer or to doctor the truth, but can’t) He finally gets out, “I really don’t have a name.”
Burner: “Wizards. … The Wizards.” “The Red Wizards.” (The captain looks sort of relieved that Burner gave the information so that he didn’t have to.)
Atalaya asks about what they have done for the Red Wizards.
Captain: “Slaves. Bounties.”
Nevil: “you know where these little pearls come from?"
Capitan: “Just pearls we use in trade.”
Nevil: “Sea hag was giving them out to pay for a trade in slaves and in pirate crew. Turning them into the undead.”
Burner: “Oh, I really didn't want to know that.”
Atalaya: “What else did you do?”
The captain sweats and fights.
But Burner blurts out: “Special jobs.”
Atalaya: “What special jobs?”
Captain blurts: “Frame jobs of powerful people.”
Nevil: “Like politicians?”
Captain: “Yes. … Harpers…. Orsino”
Nevil: “When?”
Captain: “Ongoing, but for a while.” After struggling to not say anything more, he starts talking. “We lied to him. Made him believe the Harpers were involved in things that they weren’t. … The Rebellion… That they were involved with the Sea Princes. … Seaton…. Long time ago…”
Nevil: “What else?”
Captain: “Amphil. He thought there were rebels in Amphil and Seaton.”
Nevil gets quiet and stares down the Captain. She sends Atalaya to bring Inman here to hear what the captain is saying.
Nevil continues to question the captain while Atalaya hurries to get Inman.
Nevil: “Were you related to any of the work in Amphil?"
Captain: “We weren’t there. We wanted to make Orsino and Olivia think the Harpers were working with the Sea Princes. Orsino sent soldiers, to get intelligence and make some arrests. But the killings looked like orcs.
Nevil: “They were dead when they got there?”
Captain: “I don’t know. But, sailors talk. The dead had weird marks, blackened veins in the flesh. It sounds like Thayians. I wasn’t there. I was just part of the set up. We just laid the groundwork. Orsino was a useful idiot. He was in the right place.”
Inman runs down the stairs and into the hold of the Siren.
Inman: “What?”
Nevil looks angrily at Inman, “There is your evidence.” She instructs the captain to repeat the information about Seaton and Amphil. He does.
Inman is flabbergasted by what he hears.
Inman: “This is bigger than we thought it was.
Nevil smoldering: “No. It’s bigger than you thought it was.”
Inman: “Fair. Fair.”
Nevil: “How many Harpers did you kill to get their pins?”
Captain: “I was one (He looks very nervous).”
Nevil has a wild look in her eyes and a “not nice” smile lingers on her face. “Oh my brother, you just lengthened your life. Because they will have their pound of flesh before sending you to justice. And I will not be there. So, I suggest telling them everything when you meet.”
The captain is trying to keep his mouth shut.
As time is running out, Nevil asks him about Orgel.
Captain: “Orgel showed up at the Harpy. He was starving. Mom took pity on him. (I) took the badge from him… He works, and he is scary. He is good at intimidating prisoners.”
Burner: (Just blurts out, no question asked) “I’m a thief.”
********
Chapter 3: Nevil and Ogrel part 2
Leaving the prisoners chained in the hold, we head up to the top deck.
Orgel is licking his fingers. “That was really good. They are not kind. I would have killed them, but for this.”
Nevil: “Me Too.” Nevil can not escape the parallels between
what is required to resolve her own loss and theGnoll’s predicament. She tries to use it as an example.
Orgel: “Why didn’t you?”
Nevil: “Because it wouldn’t bring my clan back and it would dishonor my Goddess. In life they have the opportunity to choose a better path, for however short their remaining stay will be.”
Ogrel: “Maybe it is too late. This is the only thing I know.”
Nevil asks, “do you have a family?”
Ogrel: “We have a pack. No mate for me… I’m not powerful.”
Nevil: “Only the highest mate?”
Orgel: “Yes.”
Nevil asks Atalaya for Orgel’s clan patch. Atalay gives it to Nevil, who gives it to Orgel.
Nevil: “Violence leads to more violence and suffering.”
Orgel: “Yes. They will just kill again.”
Nevil: “ Yes, but if they are turned into the authorities they have value yet to give the world. Value my hand would rob of the world if I killed them. Needless violence dishonors myself and my Goddess, my clan.”
(with regards to turning the captain and Burner into the authorities, I think. oh yes)
Orgel: “I would rather be known by my clan than for my violence. I cannot touch weapons, but I have these I can offer. That is all I have….”
Nevil: “That’s a good start.”
Orgel: “You come with? to take them back?”
Nevil: “Where is it?”
Orgel points. “On the Trade Way…”
Nevil: “Yes, but like how long to get there?”
Orgel shrugs. “A couple days… How fast can you run?”
Nevil: “I have a path that I must follow now. And you have some inner work to do before I believe you will find the result you seek. But we have a friend up the coast that might buy you some time.”
Ogrel looks hopeful but disappointed.
Nevil: “For now, think about how you will build honor for your clan. What does it bring to the world?
Orgel goes to the side of the deck, turns around 3 times and lays down on the deck. He reeks.
Nevil: “If you are going to stick around us you need to learn about bathing.” Nevil asks if he itches or has fleas.
Orgel: “Well, yes.”
Nevil: “We will talk again tomorrow.”
Orgel curls up and goes to sleep.
Nevil and Atalaya make their way back to the Hond Ebrath. They eat the breakfast Nevil had been preparing. After which, Atalaya goes into trance for 4 hours (long rest).j
Nevil: “Inman, Honey.”
Inman: “Yes.”
Nevil: “What are you going to put in your letter to the War Wizards?”
They talk at the table for a bit.
Boz says that he is worried about Seraphina. “She is like my mother.”
Chapter 4: Time Passes
The Hond Ebrath is limping slowly along, towing the Siren. The crew, Atalaya, Nevil work on repairing the sails, starting with the least damaged one, working up to the most damaged but still repairable sails.
We talk about what to do with the prisoners and Orgel. We fix a way to secure the prisoners in the hold of the Hond Ebrath. They are brought over when we get close Skyhorne.
Inman does ritual casting to determine what the magical items we have looted from the Siren.
Helm of Teleportation. Requires attunement. It has 3 charges. Use 1 charge to teleport (as in the Teleport Spell). Regains 1Xd3 charges daily at Dawn.
The 2 red potions are Potions of Greater Healing. (4d4+4)
There is a lot of excitement when Inman identifies the helm. We talk about ways we could make use of it.
Nevil sets up a cleansing ritual for Orgel. She uses it to both get him to bathe and to try to open him up to the idea of pacifism. She spends a good deal of time talking with him.
Nevil: “What do you do for fun?”
Orgel: “Up to now, attack merchant caravans.”
Nevil: “Less violent.”
Orgel: “Loot the bodies.”
Nevil wants Orgel to play. She has Cirilli bring the swing and set it up. Cirilli demonstrates how to use a swing. Nevil puts Orgel unto it and starts pushing him. Orgel is surprised that he actually enjoys swinging. Cirilli is tasked with playing with Orgel. Besides swinging, card games, chess (questionable success), racing up and down the masts are suggested as activities.
Time continues to pass. (Fighter practices?)
Chapter 5: Skyhorne: 12th of Eleint
We eventually get to Skyhorn. The prisoners are moved to the Hond Ebrath prior to getting there. And Orgel is also sent to the hold to watch over them.
We head to the Lighthouse first. Anchoring offshore, Atalaya, Nevil, Inman and Boz use one of the rowboats to take Orgel to the island.
Nevil knocks on the lighthouse door. Lucien (the druid keeper of the lighthouse) answers. He asks, “who is it?”
Nevil: “Nevil, Atalaya, and the crew that saved your lighthouse a bit ago.” He invites us in.
Nevil makes small talk with him, avoiding the subject of bringing a gnoll to his door.
Lucien: “Pirates up and down the coast. Lucky not big enough place to…”
Nevil: “Speaking of which, you may have noticed our company…”
Lucien’s eyes get big.
Nevil: “Our friend Orgel is cursed until he finds his path of peace.” Nevil explains the curse.
Lucien: “Where do I come into this?”
Nevil: “We don’t have time to make his pilgrimage. … We were hoping you’d let him stay here with you to serve you doing non-violent tasks. … I know it is unusual.”
Lucien is very worried about his safety. Nevil sets up a demonstration of the curse.
Nevil tells Orgel to take “this weapon”. Orgel turns into a boy. He gives the sword back and turns back into a gnoll.
Nevil: “Now try to attack Lucien.” He turns into a boy again. When he moves away from Lucien he turns back into a gnoll.
Lucien really doesn’t want to comply with Nevil’s request. He tells us that the eelmen did a lot of damage… Eventually he agrees that he could use some help undoing the damage. “I owe you,” he finally admits.
Nevil explains that Orgel enjoys swinging and suggests putting one up.
Lucien: “We are going to be even after this.”
Nevil agrees.
Lucien offers food. Orgel sniffs. He brings out veggies and fish.
Nevil: “He might keep the seagulls away.”
Lucien: “Yeah, I’ll make a swing.”
Nevil: “We will stop back by here when we can.”
Orgel: “What happens to the others?”
Nevil: “they follow their new path with justice.”
It is sometime in the afternoon when we leave the lighthouse and sail into the town’s port. A white flag placed atop the Siren’s mast.
Game Ends
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