Return of the Captain (Scene/Episode 2) Keltos

Keltos drops his line of inquiry and turns to watch the crew. Sipping his drink he waits for the harbormaster

End Scene



Into his third drink, Keltos hears the front doors open again, as they had several times since his crew's arrival at The Mermaid's Dalliance, and in walks a tall old Human male with a white beard and mustache.


"Welcome in, Harbormaster!" Syrena greets the newcomer. "Your usual I presume?" She gestures across the bar to Keltos and Marcus. "A couple newcomers here have been awaiting your presence this evening..."

Keltos nods and tilts his cup in greeting. "Please join us. This round is on me Syrena"

"Yes..Yes..Evening dear girl." The old seaman directs in response to the blonde bartender. "Aye. The usual for me. please. A pint of strong kaff, a quick pour of cream, and a liberal measure of aged whiskey." He bellies up to the bar. "How's the Maid tonight?"

He turns to the cybermonk as he awaits his drink and a reply. "Captain Keltos. Much thanks for the drink. Glad to have finally caught you. I need to schedule a fitting for your vessel, if you intend to use it for much travel in and out of port."


"The Maid's in good spirits this eve." She says back to the Harbormaster, as she places the smoking concoction in front of him.

"Well Met Harbormaster," Says Keltos "I do plan on some travel however I plan on retiring the Veritas for one of her sisters. I would like to know more about this beacon and what would the fitting entail. The Veritas and her sisters are not normal ships. They are in fact Virtues and as much alive as you or I"

"I did wonder about the nature of your vessel, Captain. Seeing as it appeared in the bay upon your arrival here in T'Lorn." The Harbormaster admits and takes a sip from his steamy tankard. "There are two types of beacons, as you call them, that may be fitted to a vessel for traveling through the barrier. It is mounted upon the prow of a vessel or within its figurehead, if it has one. It would be best to make this fitting during the new binding; not before or after."

Intrigued, Keltos continues his query

"Unless the process is unavoidable, I would prefer the fitting After the binding. The level of integration you are suggesting would make it a permanent part of the ship. Would I be correct in assuming that to be so? Or can it be removed at a later date?"

"Yes. It is intended to be a permanent process to keep exceptional thieves and those who would wish to invade our little sanctuary from getting the means in their hands." The Harbormaster answers Keltos. "I suppose it could be removed, but it would be like cutting off one's arm, or your friend's. Why would you?"

"Simple really, the council has not yet earned my trust. I am willing to compromise however. I understand T’lorn values its security like I value my privacy and freedom of movement. I would be open to a creative solution. Perhaps a modification that allows me to leave T’lorn at will but requires an expenditure of something native to T’lorn to return."

"There are examples in both magical and scientific theory."

"In magical theory a connection between things can be referred to as sympathetic magic. Like a drop of blood connecting to its host no matter how great the distance. The advantage of a blood fueled beacon is that without the donor, refueling the beacon would be impossible"

"In scientific theory, higher dimensions, planes, whatever you want to call them vibrate with a unique frequency. In theory a precisely tuned sounding fork can created that will resonate with T’lorns frequency. With enough power the veil between worlds can be breached with a resonating field; in a way not so dissimilar to a fine crystal goble being shattered by a talented voice. Such a fork can be designed so that once a breach is created the fork itself is destroyed. If the fork is crafted from materials native only to T’lorn it would be almost impossible to duplicate."

"There are numerous other theories but these are just 2 examples that come to mind. Feel free to share my thoughts with the council"

"Should I pass along the reasoning behind your willingness to share these theories as well?" The Harbormaster questions. "That you lack trust in their motives and the security measure they have already put in place?"

"I’ve made those opinions known to the council in so many words, So I am sure that they won’t be surprised if you shared our conversation. If you think it will help my case please do. I am not so arrogant that I can't see their point of view. They don't know me, and I don't know them. Bridges however are not built overnight are they?"

"I once heard a bard string together some profound Lyrics that has stayed through the years. I won’t torture you with my singing voice so ill just recite 1 line."

If you cling too tightly, you're gonna lose control

The old Harbormaster listens and takes another drink. "I will convey your words to them, but don't expect any great change to the system already in place. They are not likely to make exceptions for one Captain and his ship over the rest."

Keltos leans back and surveys the crew, "It is what is it is I suppose. Regardless of the council’s decision I appreciate your help"

With that Keltos is pretty much done unless something else comes up that requires his attention.

As Keltos is finishing up his drink and his conversation with the Harbormaster, there comes a commotion of the front doors opening and quickly followed by a clear loud call of a feminine voice over the din of the patrons in the taproom.

"WHAT HO, Bitches and Scallywags?! Where be this newcomer the shitbirds are squawking about in the salty breeze this evening?"

Turning to locate the originator of the racket, there approaches two figures: A light-skinned blonde with a brace of pistols, followed a few steps by a slight figure in a white robe and wearing a blue and white mask.

Marcus turns away from the bar and takes a step forward toward the two approaching figures. "Who be wanten to know after these newcomers? I be one. Marcus my name be."


"This is Captain Vannacosta Drake of the BellaHarpy." The masked and robed being replies to the cyborg bo'sun in an emotionless tone. "My presence is referred to as Porcelaynne."

Curious to see how things play out with his 1st mate, Keltos leans back and takes a drink, but doesn’t actually say anything.

Keltos replays his memories of the Harbor, does he recall seeing a ship there named the BellaHarpy? If so what did it look like?

Keltos searches his recent memory and he has definitely seen a ship in port on the far side of the docks mounted with the figurehead of a harpy.



At a casual glance, he could tell that the ship was visually slightly longer than the Veritas and constructed of a dark wood and a strange vein-y bluish-black metal substance. It rides high in the waters in port and her sails are tied down. What he presumes may be mounted weapons on deck are covered in tarps.

"Well met Madame Porcelaynne. Capt'n Drake." Marcus gives them both a polite nod. "The Veritas be our vessel." He informs them and gestures with muscular cybernetic, open arms to indicate himself and many of the masked patron in the taproom surrounding them. "Is it business ye seek'n with the Captain or a simple hello and welcome to the port ye be wishing?"


"More the latter." The swaggering blonde answers and continues her slow closing to the bar. She raises two fingers high to get Syrena's attention. "Blood Reign and a Dark Harvest." She voices to the bartender.

"Coming right up." Syrena acknowledges Captain Drake's order and begins to prepare the two drinks behind the bar.


Marcus casts a quick glance back to his captain, who is still at the bar. "Fine vessel ye got there." He compliments to the blonde captain and her mate. "Noticed her whilst we was out in the bay earlier."

Clearly, to Keltos at least, his Bo'sun seems to be stalling...


Marsh, who has gone quiet since the entrance of Drake and her first mate, turns and puts his elbows on the edge of the bar to watch the show.

Keltos rises and intercepts Vannacosta at the bar. "You would be looking for me then. I am Keltos and the Veritas is my ship."