Chapter 3: Maulia Encounters

After consciously avoiding the possibility of being lured off into the forest at the pool, Reagan continues and comes to a river. He believes it to be the river he saw that Maulia sits at the mouth of. He follows the river back to Maulia and eventually sees village structures (as described above) and the growing fog blanketing the lower areas. He hears shouting, and playful jeers echoing from somewhere in the village. He could easily follow them to their source if he chose.

The unlikely procession continues down the docks into the village.

Tarron’s back straighten at Admiral’s words, my ship, as if he remembers the feeling of being run through.

Jin, leading the way, follows the sound of the tavern and navigates the group through a network of boardwalks and bridges until finally the group comes to the tavern.

The tavern, like most structures here, is a round building with a thatch roof. It's somewhat larger than the homes you pass.


...

The party enters the tavern. Warm salty air flows in through the large open arch entrance way and through open windows. All can smell rich earthy aromas of spices and aged wood displace the salty sea air. The round interior is cozy and filled with the lively chatter and banter of locals. It is supported by a network of sturdy curved wooden beams. A once polished wooden floor is worn down by many footsteps. Rough wooden tables and chairs are scattered throughout the tavern. Dimly lit lanterns hang from the ceiling, swaying gently with the rhythm of the ocean outside.

A long wooden bar stretches along one side of the tavern, its surface scarred from years of serving tankards of ale and mugs of mead. Behind the bar, shelves are lined with bottles of various shapes and sizes. A bartender with a weathered face and a friendly smile, who doesn't appear to be Makai, fills mugs with foamy ale, engaging in boisterous banter with patrons.

...

This familiar place has been Cordey's home for some time now. When he walks into the tavern some local women give him eyes. He sees old Rafa at the bar, as expected...three sheets, bellowing some tall tale to the bartender, Jaran, and the other patrons who snicker to each other while they egg the drunkard on to continue.

Lelay enters the tavern soon after the party from the docks. She sees Cordey and calls, "There you are! I was worried that you were…" She stops herself. "...I should've guessed you came to dis place. So, what kinda drink you be fetchin' for me love?" She glances toward (or more correctly glares at) the other women.

Admiral continues to feel Reaver's energy swirling at his side.

The Sindi monk, Taresh, sits at a table with Mischa, one of the circus members. Her role in the circus is hard to discern from her appearance, but she has some tattoos on her arms and legs that resemble serpent scales. The two chat quietly amongst themselves.

The acrobat, Tasya, and the other circus members gather around a table and make no delay in ordering a round and quickly strike conversation amongst themselves.

The Ringleader Jin stands alone, looking around the room with the look of heavy burden on his brow.

Tarron sulks alone in a corner while the other pirates hastily bombard the bar.

Briya seats her party of humans at a table. It looks like she tells them to wait; then she walks boldly into the kitchen. As she does the bartender, Jaran, gives her a shocked, puzzled glance from behind the bar.

The bartender pulls his attention away from the woman who sauntered boldly into the kitchen. And happily accepts Admiral's coinage for the crew's round and signals to a server to help with pouring. He pours the two mugs Admiral requested directly and slides them to Admiral before moving to help the server. The frothing Whisker crew members, many of whom already downed their first round, aptly notice Admiral's gesture.

Admiral plonks one mug in front of Rafa who is just taking the last sip from his current mug. Without a moment of hesitation he accept the mug and drinks half of it. "hic! They do call me Rafa" He takes another sip.

"Haha, you Rakasta, ey? I bet you don't even know this 'cause, well...I've never seen you before, but these guys, they know! I once sailed on a ship with an all Rakasta crew. Can you believe it? I was the only Makai, you know. They asked me to join 'em 'cause they said I was the only human they ever came across with cat-reflexes up on the rigging." He simultaneously laughs and slobbers. "I sailed with 'em for years, matey." He emphasizes matey as if to prove he is a sailor. "They almost made me their captain, you know. hic! Good times...good times...." He trails off a bit; his eyelids get heavy for a second, but then he notices the mug in his hand and 'wakes up' downing the rest of its contents. "You sail that ship too?...you know it, it's called...called the..the...Nipper!" He proudly boasts.

...

When Cordey points out Admiral, Lelay's face momentarily goes white. She tries to disguise her reaction, but Cordey sees the same worry in her eyes that he saw this morning. When Cordey's orders Lelay a drink she smiles, but a faint look of worry remains on her face.

Jaran says, "Of course Cordey. I know exactly what your pretty lady wants to drink tonight."

"My love..." she looks toward the Rakasta captian. "dat one... Admiral, he been in my dreams last night. You wit him. There be something like a passage, guarded by the elves of the sea. In my dream it be you, the one who grants him da right of entry." Tears well in the depths of her eyes.

Regan steps into town making his way through the maze of boardwalks and bridges toward the sound. As he gets closer to it he realizes the sound comes from the village's tavern.



Drawing on skills learned from the Order of the Shadow, Regan can use the eerie fog cover to remain unnoticed by any still outside or peering through windows [OOC: that is if he desires to do so]. He makes it to about 60 feet away from the tavern, and suddenly is hit with the feeling of a presence, the presence of the undead. Regan feels there are more than one near the tavern. He cannot see them but his Divine Sense, lets him know they are of the ghoulish sort. But the oddest thing is that he doesn't feel they are necessarily motivated by forces of evil intent; they feel neutral at best to him."

Regan doesn't need to focus as he usually does to feel that there is something unique about these undead. They feel motivated by a powerful force, not aimless or mindless ghouls simply lusting flesh. He senses a goal.

Keeping his divine sense on alert. Regan moves to the tavern, attempting to peer into the windows. The windows on this rounded structure are higher than what would make it a simple task. But it would be possible with some effort to pull himself up the side of the structure to see in.

Lelay surrenders into Cordey's embrace. "I know dat you mean dis, my love. I would have you near me for all da time and more."

While in his embrace Lelay puts something in Cordey's hand. He sees that it is a pendant crafted from a smooth, polished piece of a unique shell found in the island's azure waters. It is etched with intricate patterns resembling waves and adorned with a small blue-green gem at its center. As Cordey looks at it, Lelay whispers soflty in his ear. "Take dis lover. The Makai of old, they heeded the call of the sea. This charm, it knows that voice—it's me heart's echo. Keep it close, and you'll never lose sight of me. It's our bond in the dance of the waves."

...

Rafa's eyes widen in shock at the mere mention of the Whisper. "You sailed with the dreaded dragonborn captain!?" Rafa gasps, his tone suddenly serious and sober. "They say his blade could drain the very life force from those who dared oppose him, leaving nothing but withered, shriveled husks in his wake."

The man then pushes aside his mug and makes an obvious effort to focus, as to not disappoint, misrepresent truth, or anger his inquisitor with apparent connections to the infamous Ezber.

When Admiral asks about the circus ship Rafa earnestly and soberly responds. "I did see a ship. It was massive. I was by the docks, before sunrise. Just me. Been there the night. Everyone else left the tavern and gave up hours before. Couldn't rest my mind, ya know, except with some drink by the water. The ship I saw had towers on its sides and tent on top. I mean, it looked like a circus big top like those that you hear set up on land in Ierendi City. But this was on the massive ship's deck!"

"It appeared out of no where just outside the port, like it came from the morning sea mists. It was still dark. Hard to see clearly, but then the water around it began to glow. I could see it. Figures with blue skin and delicate features rose up from the glowing water around the ship...not elves, fey, I'm sure...those fey of the river. They surrounded the ship and it began to glow too it then I could see through it. It came right into the port, sailed through everything, the docks and bridges just like a ghost. Cradled by the fairy folk, it moved through the port and sailed right up the river, heading toward Meneune Lake. There are fey in that lake and forest you know."

"Nobody believes me about this, but I know it wasn't the drink. I saw it. I did"

Regan attempts to get a hold and pull himself up to peer into the window of the tavern. But it turns out to be difficult to gain any handholds on the rounded wall. Not wishing to risk slipping and break his stealth, Regan aborts trying to lift himself to see through the window. All the time the eerie mist thickens around him and the tavern. He regains his footing and keeps concealed in the fog against the structure wall...

Jin snaps out of his deep thoughts at Admiral's signal. Seeing Admiral engaged with the local, he focuses his attention on the conversation and makes his way over.

Jin's excitement is noticeably roused as he listens to Rafa's account. There is both relief and exacerbation in his tone when he responds to Admiral,

"Yes. He describes our ship. But what has my grandfather gotten us into!? The Order of the Shadow and now fey folk!? How are we even...where are we to begin?"

Mischa and Taresh notice Jin's interaction with Admiral and Rafa, stop their conversation, and come close. Tasya notices too; she excuses herself from the circus troupe's table and joins Mischa.

...

There is something about the pendant; Cordey can feel it. Lelay's mention of the Makai of old heeding the call of the sea and this charm knowing that voice makes Cordey believe this is not simply his lover's keepsake gift to him. He knows he must sit with it for a while to understand it.

Cordey (and Lelay), not far from the bar, can hear Rafa tell Admiral and Jin about his dramatic sighting. This time Rafa included water fey in the tale. That Cordey had not heard that part the other night. Jin's affirmation of Rafa's description of the ship is noticed by the half-sea elf.

"Step aside now, shield bearer!" says the leader of the group of the five who now appear to be healthy, young, well dressed sailors. His voice is strong and his speech is refined. "That barrier of yours will not stop us. We have no qualm with you. You foolishly are forthright and bold, clearly you are no pirate. We are sentenced to daunt those who fly pirate colors and would otherwise seek to plunder the sacred graves of this island. That is why we are here." He puts an unnatural emphasis on the word 'daunt'

Appearance (When fully decked out): He wears leather armor over more common clothing and some cheap jewelry besides a pendant. He sports a cutlass & dagger combo with a baton. This is besides the drinking flask and two pouches. He frequently has a backpack with light crossbow attached.

Description: Cordey is a huge husky male Half-Sea Elf. He stands a good six feet, one inch tall. He is a massive chunk of man. Looks to be in his later twenties. His longer straight black hair has a blue-green sheen when the light hits it right. His hazel eyes always seem to be watching. There is no doubt he is Half-Sea Elf with the membrane webbing between his fingers, his gills and those long ears. He sports a cheap beard and mustache.

Known: Carpenter, Ex-Sailor