Khyree's Story

Khyree pulls her dagger back from the sheath quickly and frowns. 'This sheath should not be aboard the ship. It is an artifact of the dark dragon.' Her brows furrow and she looks sternly at the dragon statue. "I don't want this here on the ship." She points at the sheath. "If you insist it remain, we have a problem you and I."

When you say those words out loud the gem inside the lantern in the statue's other claw begins to swirl and glow. You notice that the blue and red swirl looks identical to the gem on the pommel of the blade, Reaver, that you saw in the previous vision. The lantern, you suddenly know to be the Dragon Breath Lantern glows brightly and more visions flood your mind.

You see the dragon Gradius instructing followers as they construct a ship next to a large temple nested in the deep jungle. A dragon statue is brought to the ship. Gradius himself rests a lantern--housing a swirling gem--in one of the statue's claws. He then rests a empty scabbard in the other claw.

"When both gems are reunited here, we shall know the workings of the Deep Dragon," claims Gradius to his followers. "We may yet be able to turn my brother from his dark path."

The vision morphs and you see Gradius in the jungle enter a surreal layered portal cradled in jungle forest growth. This is the Dragon Realm Portal.

Khyree folds her arms beneath her breasts and stares at the dragon statue. "My path forward is my own and I do not share your optimism for redeeming an evil sibling. Neither mine nor yours."

"I plan to clear away this cabin of its layers of filth and age for my own. There is no room for the trappings of another here. Not the dark dragon, Sekkor's. Not the dragonborn cutthroat, Admr's. And..not the pirate, Admiral's."

You toss Grekkor's cloak over the dragon arm holding the scabbard. The glow of the gem in the lantern subsides.

As the next couple hours pass you search the ship and do your best to clear the captain's cabin. While clearing away webs and getting rid of snakes you manage to bring the quarters to some semblance of livable. You mange to seal broken window panes with canvas and adjust furniture to a usable state. There is a desk and cot in the quarters.

In the desk you find an old journal. You flip through it to find it is a captain's log. An early entry describe some visions similar to yours at the dragon statue. A later entry describes a vision of the dragonborn, Ezber. The previous captain describes seeing Ezber abandoning Sekkor's Cult when coming to distastefully understand the purpose for his dragon master's dealings with demons.

There are some entries describing some encounters the ship had. One such entry starts with:

Captain's Log: 21/52 on the Eve of Moor

As the chronicle of this venerable ship continues, I must recount the extraordinary circumstance that recently unfolded during my time as its captain. The Dragon Ship, infused with the essence of the dragon Gradius, has proves itself to be an instrument of great power.

In our most recent journey, we encountered a treacherous storm, the likes of which I had never witnessed before. Fierce swirling winds lashed against our sails, threatening to tear them apart. Lightning crackled through the sky, illuminating the raging seas below. It was a trial of endurance and skill that tested the mettle of everyone aboard.

But it was during the height of the storm that my moment of revelation occurred. The Dragon Ship, in its boundless connection to Gradius, harnessed the very essence of the storm. Lightning arced from its masts, guiding us safely through the tempestuous waters. The ship became an entity of raw power, resonating with the fury of the storm. Guided by this synergy, we navigated through treacherous skies.


Other similar entries of encounters relate more situations:

...A grand battle ensued as our paths converged. The Dragon Ship, guided by the essence of Gradius, transformed into a formidable force, radiating authority. The ship's dragon form evoked awe and fear in our adversaries, and its ethereal wings seemed to carry us effortlessly through.

The clash was fierce, our enemies' sending thundering forces at our vessel. The Dragon Ship weathered the onslaught with unwavering resilience, its dragon scales deflecting the energy. The ship itself became an instrument of retribution, retaliating with blasts of fire, tearing through the enemy like a dragon's breath. We fought with a ferocity inspired by the awe of our master's essence...

There is an entry where the former captain summarizes what he had come to understand about the ship. It is able to disguise itself, appearing as:
>a mundane seafaring vessel
>a misty cloud formation
>a shapeless form of raw energy
>an ethereal dragon shaped force.

Late entries describe the captain realizing that "the ship's connection to Gradius seems to be waning". Also, he relates that "the Deep Dragon Cult has nearly killed all of the Order of the Ascendant Dragon in their search for Gradius' Dragon Gem on board this ship".

In the last entry the captain says:

...with the my Master Gradius' influence fading and the Cult desperately searching, I must hide the the ship here in the jungle. The Ents have agreed to to keep it hidden and safe...

Other Areas of the ship include:
>Main Deck--There are signs that the deck was once also used as a open training area for martial arts practice and communal gatherings.
>Crew Quarters--The ship could house a crew of 15-20 if needed.
>Mess Hall--There are some weathered and broken long tables and benches and a galley area which is void of supplies.
>Storage Hold--This is mostly barren. Any barrels of foods and supplies are dried up and decayed.
>Observation Deck--The way up to this is in need of much repair.

As you are sorting through the ship, while on the main deck you notice a rope fastened to a rail (on the opposite side of the ship from where you pulled up Grekkor). That in itself is not odd, since there are a many ropes dangling off rails and haphazardly from masts and various pulleys. But in your keen investigation you notice that forest growth--that has taken over parts of the main deck--has been recently disturbed on the deck at the point where this particular rope, hanging over the side of the ship, is tied. It is subtle but noticeable. That realization keeps you alert.

As you continue scouring the ship your heightened awareness brings your attention to the occasional sound of muffled footsteps and patterns of dust moving where airflow has been disturbed by some movement that was not yours. You also catch the faint scent of ozone now and then.

"You're not hiding from anyone!" Khyree calls out. "Its poor form to board a ship without invitation or permission."

Your exclamation goes unanswered...or is perhaps answered by silence and stillness.

You can feel that the ship is nearing your destination of the coast.

"Ignore me if you want, but know this—" Khyree calls out. "—I will die before allowing this ship to be boarded or used by the dark dragon, his disciples, or pirates!"

"So, kill me now with your sting, or begone. I have no need for treacherous spies or false companions."

In response to your last command, you hear a chilling fervent whisper, tinged with a tone of obsession. An subtle otherworldly resonance makes it hard to determine its exact origin but it definitely comes from the deck.

"So you want my sting do you? Like your weakling master did? I will give it to you then."

"Come then, coward who hides in the shadows." Khyree answers the threat. "I have no fear of your pathetic sting."

As you verbally welcome your hidden stowaway's challenge, you are able to make out the Jungle Coast shore 1000 feet below. You spot a small fleet of six ships. Based on what Grekkor has described to you about the North, they appear from your elevation to be ships from the northern continent of Brun. Some of ships display colors that are the same red as the dress of the humans you encountered in the jungle.

Captors on the shore appear to be herding groups of people toward the ships. You see some glints of chains in the sunlight. One group being herded has the sparse barbarian dress of your people and your people's general build and hair color array. Also true to your people's form, you notice many are resisting as various struggles are slowing down the captors' effort of moving these captives toward the ships.

The smell of ozone suddenly becomes stronger. There is a crackle of electrical spark. Materializing before you is the the mage you saw hours ago levitating above the jungle clearing, the one your master Grekkor faced. As the mage appears, the Dragon Ship seems to rear in dislike of his presence. The mage must have let down some magic that shielded him from being detected by the ship.

In one hand, the mage holds the orb from before, electricity sparking around it, and in the other hand, he swings a chain made of glowing energy.

His eyes burn with obsessed intensity and he sneers at you.

Khyree--Current HP: 24, Temp HP: 0, KI: 2
Dragon Ship Ki reserve: 8

With a sudden burst of speed, Khyree whirls her quarterstaff through the air and brings in down hard toward the mage's wrist holding the orb. She follows up, planting one end of the staff against the deck and lifting herself to kick at his torso with her feet.

The orb flys out of the mage's hand as your staff slams down on his wrist. His eyes go wide in shock as orb drops to the deck and rolls away toward the edge of the bridge.

As he clenches his wrist in pain and gawks at his moving orb you pivot on your staff hit him squarely in the torso with one of your feet. The blow takes him by surprise knocking the wind out of him. OOC: taking 12 damage from one of Kyhree's unarmed blows

Off balance from your blow, he attempts to counter by swinging the chain links of ethereal glow in his other hand at you.

As your feet land on the deck, you quickly duck under the mage's chain swing.

Khyree--Current HP: 24, Temp HP: 0, KI: 2
Dragon Ship Ki reserve: 8
Mage HP: 20

Khyree whips the quarterstaff around her body and strikes out at the off-balance mage, then spins and kicks him yet again.