Chapter 3: Maulia Encounters

Regan takes a moment to eye the party before he replies. "Pirates and grave robbers -- not the common folk -- you say? Carry on then."

He lowers his shield somewhat, before adding, "Though may I ask how this became your fate?"

Admiral’s hand reflexively gravitates to the hilt of his sword, readying himself for a fight, as Reaver sends another shiver down his spine, warning him (again) of the presence of undead. Deciding that this is not a problem he can continue to ignore, he quietly slips away as everyone begins crowding around Rafa and ventures over to the window to take a look outside.

...

Cordey recalls...meeting Kale to explore the seabed near Maulia port as well as the mouth of the river that leads to Meneune Lake. After exploring a bit up the river, Kale urged the two to turn back. He said that the river is known by sea elves and triton alike to be home to water fey serving their king and queen who reside in the lake. Tales tell of sea folk and sailors being 'invited' by the fey to entertain their majesties, but invitations were often compelled through illusion and charming magics....

When Admiral's hand reflexively gravitates to the hilt of his sword, Cordey keenly spots a subtle red-blue swirl of energy on a gem on the pommel of Admiral's rusty cutlass. Cordey notices Admiral's discrete shift to a window.

...

Admiral steps onto a raised area, on which an empty table sits. Next to the table is a window. He peers through the window and can barely make out through the fog a large armored knight blocking the passage of five other figures that look like sailors possibly of the Ierendi navy. They are not far outside from the window but the window is at least 16ft above the boardwalk they stand on. The sight of the knight and sailors doesn't quell the shivers down Admiral's spine. In fact the sailors give him eerie vibes reinforced by Reaver's surge. When any of them move their limbs, he thinks he can see a faint glowing trail following the movement.

...

Outside...when Regan says carry on, the captain waves on his party. But at Regan's last query the captain stops, looks at Regan, smirks, and says, "Thieves must pay their due." He moves forward.




Admiral--Current HP: 37, Temp HP: 8, Spell Slots: 2/2, PP: 3/3, Pact Tally: 28/400. (including Fiendish Vigor Temp HP)

Cordey says to Lelay as he holds her. "This is an off night. Feels like something bad will happen. Turns to be not a good night to be walking."

Cordey adds with a touch of worry, "You need to be safe. And I somehow feel like being next to me might not be it. Something wrong in the fog." Cordey eyes now follow the admiral's movements.

Admiral narrows his eyes. Clearly these sailors are not what they seem. He recalls what the dockmaster said about Donatello The Black and his undead crew.

Seeing the sailors begin making their way into the tavern, Admiral glances around at his inebriated crew and raises his voice to get their attention. "Oi! Pull yourselves together! We’ve got company."

He draws both his swords and moves to the top of the stairs to block the group of undead sailors from entering the tavern proper. If Donatello wants to pick a fight with his crew, he’ll have to do it with Reaver lodged in his gut and claw marks across his face.

...

Outside...A sly grin plays upon the youthful captain's illusionary lips after he responds to the Regan's question. He then steps forward past the paladin, his crew falling in behind him. As they walk past, Regan sees the illusion momentarily falter, betraying some skeletal features, before seamlessly restoring to the facade of youthful, strong sailors. They march calmly to the tavern entrance.

...

In the tavern, Lelay see's Cordey's eyes intently gauging and following Admiral's actions. She understands. Knowing it's best to trust Cordey's instinct for danger, she moves to the back of the room, making sure her hand gently brushes Cordey's back as she steps away.

At Admiral's sudden call, his crew hastily stumbles to attention and draws their weapons. The circus troop and tavern patrons look at the pirates in puzzlement.

Then Admiral and Cordey see five cleanly dressed sailors saunter into the tavern. They are headed by what appears to be a young naval captain with a smug look on his face. The hilt of his sword in his scabbard glows blue. Admiral recognizes these sailors from his look through the window.

The captain scans the room and notices the pirates arming themselves and Admiral brandishing two swords. Standing a few feet from the tavern entrance with his crew filed in behind him, he sardonically poses a question loudly, for all to hear...

"Why the cold welcoming when we could instead sit and drink together?"

Cordey notices an odd occurrence in stance of the sailors. They stand tall, looking healthy, strong and foreboding in the doorway, but a momentary slight flickering flash is noticed by Cordey. The moment reveals the bunch as a hunched, haggard, decayed lot.

Admiral takes in the sailors’ smug attitudes and tidy naval uniforms and raises an eyebrow. "I’m a big fan of diplomacy but, to be honest, even if you didn’t stink of death, you seem kind of… insufferable," he says. Necrotic magic begins to drip from the tip of Reaver’s blade. Some of it drips on the captain’s shiny boots. "That being said, I’d hate to deprive the Makai of their undead guardians so maybe pick another tavern to saunter into, eh?"

Cordey looks back to Lelay and gives her a knowing glance letting her know that this is not good. He also moves a bit between Lelay and any charge that those coming in could make. His hand has found the dagger he had brought with him and considering the mess it is in hand and hanging low to his side. In all indicating that it is more than ready to be used.

He doesn't move to address those coming in but rather keeps himself defensively between them and his Lelay. He watches them as well as the reactions all the in the place as he has a feeling that he isn't alone in this. Should he see others feeling what he is, he gives them a knowing glance too. We are peaceful here, but we can defend. Cordey may not have been born here but still he is considered to be one.

The locals in the tavern, Moonlight, see Cordey, armed, taking a defensive stance; most respect him, trust his judgement, and are willing to take his lead. None have weapons but they do move closer to Cordey bolstering his defensive stance as well as creating a protective wall in front of Lelay and the other local women who move to the back of the room.

Briya (the tattooed barbarian woman) emerges from the kitchen and stops dead in her tracks as if the tension brewing in the room was an impassable wall.

Addressing Admiral the smug captain replies, "Insufferable. Hmff." Accompanied by a short sigh he laments, "I've certainly been called much worse in days long, long past."

"I'll tell you what...I'm all about being fair these days. I will take my crew to another establishment if you just permit me a look into the souls of yours. Should they not lust for the riches of gems, gold, and silver--that are tucked away, hidden for ages in the burial chambers and catacombs of the old Makai, just nearby, among the ancient graves--then we will be gone. But if your men have the heart of thieves...well then..." He smiles sinisterly, "they will join my crew and continue our work."

Cordey now handles his dagger aggressively as he takes one step forward and calls out challenging, "You shall not pass me." He handles the dagger like someone who knows exactly how to use it.

Admiral narrows his eyes. "I have no intention of stealing from the Makai burial grounds but I’m not going to gamble with the lives of my crew." He glances at Cordey as he steps forward, grateful for his support, and subtly shifts his stance. His tail swishes from side to side like that of a cat preparing to pounce.

"So be it," says the now irritated captain. "Then you ALL choose to join my crew."

He motions his men forward.

Regan, who had been listening to the exchange just inside, steps behind the group of undead and says, "You assured me you were only after thieves and graverobbers... sounds to me like you're about to take anyone and everyone with no proof. I warned you not to deceive me... last chance to walk away, Captain."

INIT is 13 for Cordey.

Donatello's crew draws their weapons and moves into the tavern.

As the Regan delivers his ultimatum, the Captain Donatello, his glowing weapon still sheathed, turns toward the paladin; slightly annoyed he says,

"I thought you would have had the sense to walk away yourself, foolish knight." Then a thought appears to come to him. He smiles devilishly and shifts his voice into a charming tone, "Yet...perhaps you've come back for a good reason. You understand our good cause, do you not? We would accept a schooled fighter such as you into our ranks."

Regan not only hears the captain's words, but feels them. They penetrate his mind and Regan begins to think that this undead guardian is no enemy of his. Instead he starts to believe that the undead captain is a dutiful servant worthy of a paladin's trust.

Two of the 'sailors' move to Admiral and take a slash at him, one female with a rapier and the other male with a scimitar.

Another moves only slightly past the captain, two daggers in hand and one in his mouth. He flings his two daggers at Cordey.

As the daggers fly the fourth sailor, who appears weaponless, moves toward Cordey with his hands outstretched as if they are claws.



Initiative Order
**Donatello 24
**Undead Crew 17
Regan 15
Cordey 13
Admiral 10
Locals 12
Circus Troupe 8

Stats
**Donatello--HP: 100
**Undead Crew 1,2,3,4--HP: 36, 36, 36, 36
Regan--Current HP: 50, Temp HP: 0, Warlock Spell Slots: 2/2, Pact Tally: 0/150.
Cordey--Current HP: 44, Temp HP: 0, SD: 4
Admiral--Current HP: 37, Temp HP: 8, Spell Slots: 1/2, PP: 4/4, Pact Tally: 28/400.
Taresh--Current HP: 45, Temp HP: 0. Ki: 7
Locals--tba
Circus Troupe--tba

Admiral uses Reaver and the Defender Blade to deflect his flanking attackers.

Cordey dodges one dagge while his side step causes the other to graze him (for 7 damage).


Stats
**Donatello--HP: 100
**Undead Crew 1,2,3,4--HP: 36, 36, 36, 36
Regan--Current HP: 50, Temp HP: 0, Warlock Spell Slots: 2/2, Pact Tally: 0/150.
Cordey--Current HP: 37, Temp HP: 0, SD: 4
Admiral--Current HP: 37, Temp HP: 8, Spell Slots: 1/2, PP: 4/4, Pact Tally: 28/400.
Taresh--Current HP: 45, Temp HP: 0. Ki: 7
Locals--tba
Circus Troupe--tba

As the undead 3 hits Cordey with a dagger, he decides that those with him will not be protected since they are throwing daggers, so Cordey charges undead 3 with his dagger in hand. He returns the favor to it.