Ian gets ugly, singed, stained, multicolor scarf from Oiled leather bag.

Ian puts Heavy Cane in Oiled leather bag.

Ian gets Basket-hilted Rubicund Sword from Oiled leather bag.

Ian wields Basket-hilted Rubicund Sword.

Cadenza gets sallet helm with rose and brambles, plate breastplate with rose and brambles, plate pauldrons with rose and brambles, articulated plate gauntlets with rose inlay, chainmail leggings with plate cuisse, Lotties Chocolate Chip Cookie and 3 books from Rose Tempest backpack.

Cadenza puts a fine leather corset of deep burgundy with bronze accents, a well tailored admiral frock coat of deep burgundy with bronze accents, a pair of fine leather knee boots of deep burgundy with bronze accents, fine leather arm wraps of deep burgundy, fine leather gauntlet style gloves of deep burgundy with bronze accents, a pair of fine leather pants of deep burgundy, Lotties Chocolate Chip Cookie, sallet helm with rose and brambles, a fine leather tricorn hat of deep burgundy with bronze and feather accents, and 3 books in Rose Tempest backpack.

Cadenza wields Heartseeker, a diamondplate saber.

Word is sent that the village of Merchant's Home has been ravaged by hostile forces, a plea sent for warriors to be sent to investigate the village and see what remains there. A contingent of folks are invited and asked to attend, the ship made ready to sail from Arx. The trip is a somewhat short one, two days at sea that have been, thusfar, unremarkable. The weather is holding, despite the tendancy for Autumn storms. This morning dawned several hours ago, the sky still pearly as the lookout gives the shout that land has been sighted. There at the edge of the horizon is a dark line of land, a plume of gray smoke rising upwards.

Cadenza stands at the bow of the ship, eyes scanning the horizon.

For an Islesman and the youngest third of the Brothers Kennex, Ian is unsteady on a moving ship to an almost ridiculous degree. He's always got a hand on something -- a line, a railing -- to keep himself from toppling over every time she rolls over a swell. But he seems used to this, and has an ability to intuit what's around him like he has eyes in the back of his head, allowing him always to have something to grab onto. The upshot is that he moves on a ship faster than he moves on land (while taking the occasional spill on deck). His scarf was elsewhere for most of the trip, but once land is sighted, he goes to get it and emerges from below with it wrapped in a loose loop and secured to his belt with a knot that he could loose with a simple tug. Then he scales the sheets and up towards the crow's nest in hopes of getting a better look.

Rysen sits cross legged on the deck with his back resting on the main mast. He runs a whetstone along the edge a black bladed sword, and glances up as Ian begins to climb the rigging.

Reese is on the ship while all decked out in so much pink and ivory. This is just normal for Reese to dress this way though. She has a blade at either hip. The warrior princess is on the deck, trying to keep watch. She even pacing back and forth, moving her with both strength and grace.

The closer the ship comes to Merchant Home, the more obvious the destruction is. The smoke continues to billow from the center of town, while most of the docks are utterly destroyed. There are a few serviceable slips remaining, however. As the ship approaches, flying the colors of Maelstrom and Tyde, a cluster of people gather on the dock, waving the ship in. Once close enough to dock, there are hands to help settle a gangway along the side once the ship has been tied.

"Thank the gods!" The words are spoken by a tired looking elder man, his face bruised, eyes bloodhot and clothing singed. "Have you been sent to help us?"

Rysen rises, and deftly sheathes his sword in his belt, as the sea breeze passes over his hair and the fox fur of his mantle. He makes his way to the gangway and nods to the elder. "We've come from Arx to see if we can help. Would you be able to tell us what happened here?"

Ian scales back down as the ship approaches the town. He'll exchange his sword for his cane if it looks like they're going to disembark, but his player's not going to do that because it'd be obnoxious. Otherwise, he seems inclined to hang back and let Rysen take the lead.

Reese climbs off the ship once it is tied and secured. She sucks in a soft breath while taking in the destruction, the pink draining form her cheeks as the Princess looks somber and concerned. She then looks to the old man, nodding. "We came to help." She says to the man, her tone soft and serious. "I'm Princess Reese Grayson. When did this destruction happen exactly?" She asks, maybe trying to get a sense for things. She then looks over to Rysen, nodding to him.

Cadenza disembarks behind the rest, quietly surveying the destruction.

"Four days past." The man says. He's a portly sort, big round cheeks and a mostly bald head, with a thick ring of copper hair that leaves the crown bare. His eyes are a dim gray, his moustache is a thing of glorious beauty, robust growth that spills over his lip and frames his mouth in an exquisite profusion of coppery red hair. Long enough to droop off his rounded chin, the man takes his hat from his head, wringing it in his hands. "I'm alderman Walder Scott, your highness." He makes a deft bow, limber for a man of his corpulent girth. His clothes are fine silks, though his hose are dirty and his silk shirt is singed. "We are a peaceful folk. Merchants, mostly, as you might imagine. The ship that came in bore a flag we've only seen rarely. The devils hailed from Eurus, I promise you that."

On disembarking, Ian's first reaction is a threat assessment. While letting the others talk, he surveys the area, both at ground level and above. His eyes move fast, picking out details, flashes of movement, sources of smoke.

At the mention of Eurus, Rysen glances from Ian to Reese to Cadenza. The Crovane lord nods to Walder and says, "I'm sorry to see what they've done to your town, Alderman." He rests a forearm on the hilt of his sword and says, "Was it a single ship that brought the devils?"

Reese listens to Walder's words, the princess nodding in response. "Good to meet you." She says in the man's direction, seemingly all about manners and the like even now. Her princess upbringing is coming out. "I should introduce the others with me. Lord Ian of House Kennex. Lady Cadenza of House Fidante, previously of House Velanosa before her marriage and then Lord Rysen of house Crovane." She says and then pauses. "Four days and Eurus. Eurus is not good." She says.

Ian checked perception + survival at difficulty 30, rolling 30 higher.

Satisfied that if there are demons, they are VERY STEALTHY demons, Ian returns his attention to the conversation just in time to be introduced. "This isn't the first time I've heard of them messing around in the Mourning Sea," he remarks. "Did they take people as slaves?"

"It were *five* days, not four." The voice is cranky, a wizzened old woman comes hobbling through the thin crowd to approach the nobles gathered near the dock. Walder looks over his shoulder and curses softly before saying in a louder voice, "Nana Graves, you should be in bed..."

"Pishposh! I am steady as ever, Walder Scott, don't make me prove it!" The querrlous voice belongs to a frail looking elder, her hair steel gray, and her face a mass of wrinkles. She walks with a stooped posture, a gash healing along her forehead, mostly covered by a bandage. "Those Eurusi bastards came near eight days ago. We treated with them for a day, offered 'em courtsey before declining to trade with them." She spits to the side, leaning heavily on a walking stick. "They wanted to unload all manner of goods, but we weren't havin' it. Not since the Faith made that decree."

Walder Scott nods bleakly to Ian. "Yes. They took around twenty - twenty five souls."

Reese looks to the woman woman, giving her a polite smile of greeting. "Eight days ago. They might be hard to find now, but we have to try." She says and then adds. "What is next village over? Maybe they will be making the rounds?" She asks, now looking to the others here as well.

"Twenty-five?" Cadenza gasps. She looks around at the remaining villagers around her. Did they take men? Women? Children?

Ian looks towards the others. "It might be useful to bring someone from town with us, someone who'd recognize the people who were taken," he suggests. "It'd give us a better chance of bringing back the right people." Then, to the villagers: "Did any of them say anything about a prophet?"

Rysen listens to Nana Graves, and glances at Reese and then to Ian as he mentions the Prophet. Turning back to the old woman, Rysen says, "And can you tell us home many Eurusi you noticed. Was it a single ship? Several? Were there many raiders or few who came to take the villagers away?"

The town is certainly lacking the abundance of people a town this size would support. Walder looks ready to answer with Nana Graves answers, "Men, women and children, all took. Some full families. Tried to take as many children as they could get their hands on. Sell better, from my understanding, those fetch a better price." Walder looks uncomfortable, shifting his weight from foot to foot. "Portsmuth is the closeste two. No more than a three hour sail thattaway." He points along the coast heading towards the north. They only had the one ship, your lordship," this is to Rysen, the man clears his throat, "They had a good number with them. At least thirty by my reckoning."

Reese winces as the mention of children being taken. "Well we will get those children back." She says, trying to sound more confident than she feels about such. "What do you think, should we sail to the next town over?" She asks of the others with her.

Ian casts a look out towards the water. "We can try, but they have a head start on us. Aethan and Wash were always better at this, but I might be able to take a stab at where they'll be, if I can have a look at a halfway decent chart of the area."

Cadenza upnods to Ian. "I can help with that."

"That's a good question, Your Highness," says Rysen to Reese, and he nods at Ian's assessment. He touches his chin thoughtfully and then asks Walder, "Had you dealt with these Eurusi in the past, before the Faith proclaimed their ban? Do they have a route they tend to ply? Or was this your first encounter with them?"

Walder Scott seems a little uncertain, though Nana Graves is less hesitant. "We used to do business with them every time they came this way." She gums her lips a little, her watery blue eyes looking to Rysen as she answers. "They been coming through here since I was as young and pretty as that one." She gestures to Reese. "Not terribly often. Maybe once or twice every couple of years. Sometimes not for a decade. But they come, with their goods, that pyreweave and shadowmeld, some gemstones and metals. They sells it to us and we send on to Arx making a tidy profit. Some rumbled with the proclamation from teh Faith rolled out, but we're good, faithful folk. Faith says no, we say no. This was the first time we'd denied them." Walder Scott looks to Reese and says, "We saw smoke in the air two days past from Portsmuth. It didn't last long."

Reese looks to Ian. "They won't be easy to catch, but I think we can." She says and then turn to Cadenza, nodding. "If you can study the map and ponder a route maybe?" She adds before looking to Rysen. "Good questions." The Grayson murmurs, sounding impressed and even more when the answers yield good information. Reese does smile at Nana's first words about herself, seemingly flattered. Still she is quick to get back to business, nodding. "Okay, smoke two days past, could they be onto the town after there now?"

"No one's as pretty as that one," says Rysen under his breath in response to Nana Graves claim towards Reese. Turning to Cadenza and Ian, Rysen asks, "Any chance you or perhaps the captain of our vessel might be able to guess which direction they'd headed after Portsmuth?"

"We'll see what we can do. Find out how long they spent here. Might give us an idea of how long they'll stop at other places." Ian nods to Cadenza to join him looking at a map and/or chart, err -- somewhere. "If they're following their usual trade route, that makes this easier. That means they'll want to move with wind and current." He pauses, and then adds to her: "I don't know what to make of them going away and coming back four days later. Why for that long? And where'd they go? Aethan would be able to make sense of it."

"This island ain't that big..." Walden Scott says, glancing at Rysen and the others. "But I'll fetch the local sea charts." He heads off to do just that, and Nana Graves gives Rysen the stink eye. "I *heard* that young lad and let me tell you..." She wags an ancient, crooked finger at him, the nail long, chipped and yellow with age. "I was so beautiful that men fell upon the ground to swoon when I walked by and don't you misunderstand! I was a *queen* in my day, boy!"

Cadenza says, "They may have needed to unload some cargo. Make preparations so they wouldn't be too heavy after."

Reese looks Rysen, pink cheeked for a moment at his compliment. She then turns to Nana. "Oh, wow, nobody has swooned around me before. I hope to one see a painting of you back then. Thanks for getting those charts." She says before looking to Ian. "Great question, how long they stayed. That will give us the best idea if to start at Portsmouth or the next settlement over."

Rysen glances at Reese and blushes furiously, however he smiles at Nana Graves. "I cannot doubt it, Nana Graves. I apologize." Rysen nods to Cadenza. "If their crew was about thirty and they were expecting to unload goods, taking on more slaves might mean they'd need to put in somewhere for more fresh water, at least - even if most of the captives are children. Hopefully the charts will help."

"Doubt we'll be so lucky," Ian muses to Cadenza. "Unattended stuff has a good chance of going missing if you leave it for a few days, and you'd be surprised how tight reavers can pack people in once they slap them in chains." A note of distaste creeps into his voice at that, although really not enough, considering the subject matter. "I wonder if it was really the same people coming back."

Walder Scott returns with a rolled up sea chart. He gestures for those gathered to follow him to a nearby desk at the endge of the docks. He rolls out the parchment to show a map of the island they are on. It is small, kidney shaped, with Merchant's home in the large bay in the center of the southern coast. Portsmuth is on the western edge of the island. It's a smaller settlement, and the currents favor that direction, according to the charts.

There is some preening from Nana Graves at Reese's words and she says, "You are a sweet one." She looks to Ian, peering at him with her rheumy eyes. "Oh, no they didn't leave and come back -- they were here for four days and then attacked. They kept trying to negotiate. After the fourth day they attacked."

"They came in with no intention of taking no for an answer," Cadenza murmurs while she studies the map and makes calculations in her head.

Reese looks to Nana, having a dimpled smile for her. She then studies the chart, before looking between the others here. "I think that we should go to Portsmouth with the understanding they might have already moved on, but if so than we don't spend much time there and move on too after them. Since they are stopping for days, hopefully we will eventually catch up with them."

"Do you mind if I look around the village, Alderman, while my companions look at the charts?" asks Rysen to Walder. The Crovane lord's eyes shift to look in the direction of the wasted dwellings.

"Huh," Ian says. "And they only waited around for two days at Portsmith." He takes note of the area around the second settlement and the direction of the trade winds or prevailing ocean current to take a guess at what direction to give chase, if they've moved on.

"Go ahead my lord," Walder dips into a bow, "Though, I'd ask that you mind some of the occupied houses, people are mourning. If they ask to be left alone...?" He trails off, seemingly assuming that Rysen will understand the request.

Rysen nods to Walder. "Thank you," he says. Just before he sets out to the village proper, he turns to Nana Graves and says, "Being the renowned beauty you were in your time, Nana, I'm sure you heard many enterprising merchants throughout the years speak of the comings and goings of these Eurusi who brought with them such valuable products. Do you have any guesses as to where they might head next, assuming they've already plundered Portsmuth?"

Rysen checked perception + survival at difficulty 30, rolling 4 higher.

Ian checked perception + survival at difficulty 30, rolling 115 higher. Ian rolled a critical!

Cadenza checked perception + survival at difficulty 30, rolling 13 higher.

Reese checked perception + survival at difficulty 30, rolling 1 higher.

Ian ambles off during the search and taps his cane down on a piece of paper the wind was just in the process of blowing away, pinning it. He kneels down to collect it and then, with the help of his cane, rises again and looks it over. As he reads (and he's not a fast reader), he gets an.... expression. His eyes widen a little bit initially, and then the corner of his mouth twitches, like he's trying to decide whether something is hilarious, or merely funny.

Rysen kneels down and brushes his hand through the dirt, picking up a dagger seemingly of foreign make. He frowns and drops the weapon, before turning back and noticing an uncharaceristic emotional reaction from Ian. Rysen makes his way to the Sword of Stormward's side. "Find something?" he asks curiously, brushing the dirt from his fingers.

Reese looks over to Ian as well, her blue eyes pregnant with a question. She doesn't repeat the question that Rysen asked though.

Cadenza kneels down on the dock and carefully pulls a fragment of a map out from between the weathered boards. "I found a map," she announces to the group. "Portsmouth is circled on it."

Reese looks to Cadenza, nodding. "Well..I think all the more reason to go there first. Good find."

"I, uh..." Ian pauses. "It's... a letter." There's a mix of awkwardness and an edge of laughter. "They're going to Red Keep after Portsmouth, and Ischia after that." A pause. "And Porter needs to up his game. This goes on for... damn, there's writing on the back, too. How many more positions..."

Reese sucks in a soft breath. "Damn..they are really making the rounds." She says.

Rysen smiles grimly at Ian and Cadenza's words. "At least we've got a heading. ...positions?" Rysen arches an eyebrow in Ian's direction.

"It's Reese's comment that finally makes Ian lose it. He snorts, then coughs, and then just straight up starts laughing. "They really are." He hands the letter to Rysen.

Cadenza approaches Ian so she can look at the letter he found.

Rysen finds the letter hilarious - even under the circumstances - and is unable to suppress his laughter. "Gods and spirits, Mika's going to thank you for showing this to me," says Rysen to Ian with a grin, handing the letter to Cadenza who appears interested. He beings to make his way back to the dock.

Humor flashes sharp in Ian's electric blue eyes. This is probably (okay, CERTAINLY) not the right place for it, but he looks like he can't help it. "After the stuff they found on the ships that crashed into the lowers, I'm starting to think people are just going at it in the streets on Eurus."

Cadenza studies the letter a touch too long. "Hm. I never thought about that before." she hands the letter back to Ian.

Cadenza gets 3 books from Rose Tempest backpack.

Reese seems a bit baffled about what is a foot. "Can I see that too?" She says, trying to look over Cadenza's shoulder.

Nana Graves

Ian hands the letter to Reese as they head back towards the ship.

Nana Graves' eyes are apparently sharp despite her age as she peers over Cadenza's shoulder and says, "Amateur." She shoos them off then saying, "Go on, git now. Go see if you can find out young ones. This village will die without our little ones."

Reese checked composure at difficulty 15, rolling 4 lower.

Reese looks over the letter, her cheeks getting pinker and pinker and pink. "Oh, my..." She says. "That is quite the letter."

Reese then turns to Nana. "We are on are way, Nana Graves." She says. "Will be seeing you soon with the children." Reese says, trying to sound certain.

Ian puts the letter away for "safekeeping".

The trip to Portsmuth is not a long one. And well before they reach landfall, they can see the large ship parked a ways out. The village is quiet, the sun starting to set, but no lights or fires are lit in the village. The ship in the harbor is well lit, however, with people on the deck.

Cadenza examines the ship as best she can from this distance, checking what colors they fly and how large of a crew compliment it is likely to have.

Reese is on the deck once again in her pink clothing. She looks over to the ship, seemingly thoughtful. "I wonder if that is them?"

"That's them," Ian declares. "I suggest steering to cut them off before they can make a run for it. They're probably faster than we are."

Cadenza checked dexterity + sailing at difficulty 35, rolling 37 higher.

Rysen stands beside Reese, with his black mantle flowing in the wind behind him, gazing at the well lit vessel in the docks. At Ian's words, Rysen frowns, and says a soft prayer to Gloria as he prepares for battle.

"On it." Cadenza issues orders to the crew to help them block the faster Eurusi ship in before they can set sail and escape them.

As Cadenza deftly handles their ship, the Eurusi on the other vessel start to boil out onto the deck. Dusky skinned and dark of hair and eye, they begin to shout at those abord the party's vessel, flashing weapons. A man, draped in silk and umbra, with gold bangles on his wrists rattles a golden saber towards the incoming Arvani vessel. Several sailors pick up ropes, boarding axes and two pick up bows.

Rysen gets a carved blackwood spear with a steel head from a reinforced canvas shoulder bag with drawstring cords.

Reese wields Devotion, a silvery pink alaricite short sword.

Rysen reaches into his shoulder bag and removes a blackwood spear, moving toward the gunwale. He begins to control his breathing, and his grey eyes are fixed on the wielder of the golden sabre like a raptor, waiting for Cadenza's masterful maneuvering to bring their ship within range.

Rysen wields a carved blackwood spear with a steel head.

As the ships get closer, Ian shouts out his offer: "SURRENDER YOUR SHIP, RELEASE YOUR CAPTIVES, AND YOU WALK AWAY FROM THIS!" He's not really trying to be all that convincing, but at least he's making sure the offer is made.

"Nice, Lady Cadenza." Reese says when the Lycene noble steers the ship, helping to cut the Eurusi off. Reese looks to the deck and to the man rattling his sabre. "I guess it is time." She muses, drawing her own silvery pink blade. "We will give you a chance to lay down your weapons and surrender those you took to us so they can be brought back home." She calls out.

"Brave words for such a small cadre." Comes the accented reply. The man in his spill of silks and umbra laughs. "We out number you more than three to one! And our ship is much bigger, much faster than yours. Ahhh..." He moves closer to the rail of his ship, peering across the gap between them, "But you all look delightfully rich. I think we can top this trip off with some hefty ransoms, enh my fellows?" THe men behind him start to cheer. "Except for that one..." The golden saber is pointed towards Ian and waggled. "What IS that around his neck? I can smell it from here! That one... put that one in the sea."

Rysen checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 30, rolling 24 higher.

Ian is already climbing as the ships close in on each other. From his slight height, he scans he deck, picking out features, especially any way to access belowdecks. And from his slight height, he also snorts and huffs out his amusement. "Ten thousand of my own silver to any man who manages it. Fifteen if he doesn't die in the attempt." In a lower voice, one that isn't pitched to carry, he says to those on deck: "One of you try and go below straightaway. They might try to kill their prisoners. You'll need to stop them."

Reese looks to Ian, nodding. "I can head straight below. Good call on that. You make a point." She says. She gets ready try to try and board her Eurusi ship herself.

Cadenza nods in reply to Ian and prepares to board the Eurusi ship. "First two who can get below do so. Anyone else should deal with the crew."

Ian checked dexterity at difficulty 10, rolling 5 higher.

Reese checked dexterity at difficulty 10, rolling 15 higher.

Rysen raises his spear in the air at Ian's words. Waiting until the ship comes alongside the Eurusi vessel, cutting off its possibility of escape, Rysen twists his torso, leveling his weapon. He launches his spear through the air at the golden sabered Eurusi, and the spear sinks into the man's lower torso.

Alecstazi GM Roll checked dexterity(4) at difficulty 10, rolling 13 higher.

Rysen checked dexterity at difficulty 10, rolling 22 higher.

Cadenza checked dexterity at difficulty 10, rolling 11 higher.

Rysen puts a carved blackwood spear with a steel head in a reinforced canvas shoulder bag with drawstring cords.

Rysen wields Moria - a rune-etched bastard sword.

The spear strikes the leader in the lower torso, jutting out of the man while he hollers, clearly not having seen that coming. The saber falls out of his hand and he screams in Eurusi, what is clearly: ATTACK!

Both sides of the battle explode into motion, ladders and planks latched onto the opposite ships, preparing for boarding on either side. It's chaos!

Rysen checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 56 higher.

As Cadenza brings the ship alongside the Eurusi vessel, Rysen draws his bastard sword and leaps onto the enemy ship. He races towards the Eurusi who dared insult Ian's scarf, as he's struggling to remove the blackwood spear from his body. On instinct, Rysen kicks the weapon deeper into the man's body, puncturing vital organs, and bringing the man's last breath, and, perhaps the opportunity for a more virtuous life on the next turn of the wheel.

Reese checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 69 higher. Reese rolled a critical!

Alecstazi GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + brawl(4) at difficulty 15, rolling 12 higher.

Alecstazi GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + brawl(4) at difficulty 15, rolling 21 higher.

Alecstazi GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + brawl(4) at difficulty 15, rolling 43 higher.

Alecstazi GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + brawl(4) at difficulty 15, rolling 28 higher.

Reese clambers aboard the Eurusi ship with impressive grace and ability making it though and dodging her way to the hatch that leads below to the cargo hold.

Alecstazi GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + melee(4) at difficulty 15, rolling 32 higher.

Alecstazi GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + melee(4) at difficulty 15, rolling 25 higher.

Alecstazi GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + melee(4) at difficulty 15, rolling 31 higher.

18 inflicted and Reese is unharmed.

32 inflicted and Reese is unharmed.

65 inflicted and Reese is unharmed.

50 inflicted and Reese is unharmed.

64 inflicted and Rysen is harmed for moderate damage.

50 inflicted and Rysen is unharmed.

62 inflicted and Rysen is harmed for moderate damage.

Alecstazi GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + athletics(4) at difficulty 20, rolling 35 higher.

Alecstazi GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + athletics(4) at difficulty 20, rolling 54 higher.

Alecstazi GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + athletics(4) at difficulty 20, rolling 29 higher.

Alecstazi GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + athletics(4) at difficulty 20, rolling 27 higher.

Alecstazi GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + athletics(4) at difficulty 20, rolling 33 higher.

Rysen's take down of the leader is epic. The spear plunges deeper into his body, piercing through his back and the man falls, blood spurting from his mouth, the golden saber dropping from nerveless fingers. A trio of men on the top deck roar at the sight of their leader falling and armed with clubs and a knife, descend on Rysen. All three manage to land blows in a cadence of pain for the Crovane Lord.

As Reese climbs onto the pirate ship, she can hear the screams from the captives below. As she reaches the hatch, she can see them milling under there, trapped. Four brigands, unarmed, attempt to take on the Grayson Princess, swining meaty fists that seem to just glance off her.

Five more pirates take up weapons and go charging across the gap, boarding the Arvani ship, looking to take hostages.

Cadenza checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 45 higher.

Ian checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 41 higher.

Ian swings into the rigging of the other ship and, climbing through the ratlines like he was born there, he places himself in the middle of the guys swinging at Reese. It's four against one, yes, but he has a sword, and generally seems fine with those odds.

Cadenza rushes to the rail and takes a mighty swing with her saber, deftly separating the Eurusi from his life, and thus also her ship. After hearing the satisfying splash she kicks the plank the other boarders are using to cross.

Rysen checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 42 higher.

As the Eurusi warriors begin to swarm Rysen as their leader bleeds out on the deck, a series of blows draw blood from the Crovane lord, as he quickly draws his rubicund arming sword in his left hand. He bounds a step toward the passage leading below deck, before turning with a whirl of blades that slash through the neck and abdomen of the Eurusi closing in on him with a knife. The two slavers closing in with clubs look at their fallen comrade with a degree of shock, as he hits the deck.

Reese checked command + manipulation at difficulty 35, rolling 11 lower.

Alecstazi GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + brawl(4) at difficulty 15, rolling 19 higher.

Alecstazi GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + brawl(4) at difficulty 15, rolling 16 higher.

Alecstazi GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + brawl(4) at difficulty 15, rolling 29 higher.

Alecstazi GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + brawl(4) at difficulty 15, rolling 66 higher.

99 inflicted and Reese is unharmed.

Alecstazi GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + melee(4) at difficulty 15, rolling 57 higher.

Alecstazi GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + melee(4) at difficulty 15, rolling 25 higher.

50 inflicted and Rysen is harmed for minor damage.

70 inflicted and Rysen is harmed for moderate damage.

Alecstazi GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + melee(4) at difficulty 15, rolling 17 higher.

Alecstazi GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + melee(4) at difficulty 15, rolling 50 higher.

Reese has her silvery blade drawn and seems ready to fight as she draws close to the hatch. The Princess looks to those nearby. "I am Princess Reese Grayson, the Knight of Ribbons. I don't want to attack an unarmed person and kill them, but I will, if I have to. Back down and surrender now! Stand aside. These peole do not belong to you!" She says and well Reese doesn't sound all that impressive. She is worrying and it bleeds into her tone,e especially when she looks to Rysen and his injured state. They still attack her. Reese takes the blows and one really powerful blow with a wicked hook and yet none of the attacks even phase her in that pink armor. Then the pirates are starting to seem a bit spooked.

Cadenza checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 31 higher.

100 inflicted and Cadenza is harmed for severe damage.

Cadenza slashes through another Eurusi, painting the deck with the blood from his wounds. She prepares to swing again, but the dagger that bites into her back stops her short with a black of pain. The only mercy found there is that dagger is caught in her armor preventing its weirder from doing it again.

The fighting continues to be brutal. Rysen's swordplay at the top deck reduces the number of opponants there by a third, those remaining lifting brutal clubs to wail on the Crovane lord. Reese's verbal attempts at intimidation may fail, but her unflinching ability to take a hit and brush it off as nothing, has two of the four brawlers backing away. Cadenza's swift actions and thinking cut her number of opponants in half, and her blade halves their number again, though an underhanded attack severely wounds the young Lady, but results in him being disarmed.

Ian checked strength + athletics at difficulty 30, rolling 12 higher.

Unlike Reese, Ian doesn't look worried. In fact, he looks calmer than anyone who's never seen him in a real fight has seen him, perfectly serene and at peace with what's happening right now. All of those little hints of awkwardness are gone, and all that's left is something as dangerous -- and as impersonal -- as a weapon. He takes advantage of the fact that the people chasing after the girl in pink, slashing one across the back, hitting a second guy in the face with the basket hilt of his sword on the backswing, and then, while the guy is still seeing stars, he slams his head into the third guy's head, taking advantage of the rocking of the ship to give him a little more momentum. If anyone else had done this, it'd look playful, like a taunt. Maybe that's what they see. But there's no humor in Ian's eyes -- just certainty.

Rysen checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 38 higher.

Reese checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 45, rolling 30 higher.

The club wielding Eurusi visiciously bash Rysen, and a blow to his right thigh seems to buckle him, before the second attacker smashes his head, but with a fluidity so deeply trained as to be instinct, Rysen's black alaracite sword sweeps upward and slashes through the muscle and bones of the man's arm, which falls to the deck amid a pool of blood and gore. As the man falls to the ground, Ian headbutts his partner, dazing him. Rysen turns his attention to the remaining Eurusi slavers, spitting blood onto the deck of the ship.

Reese hits the pommel of her sword hard into the back of the head of one slaver even while pushing into the other slaver who is still fighting her. The second man stumbles backwards, falling over the deck and into the water below. Her attack was not with blade of her weapon. The man she hit is not doing well and the other one is trying not to drown in the cold autumn sea, so maybe it wasn't much of a mercy. Now the way looks free for her lift up the hatch at least for now and that seems to be her next goal.

Cadenza checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 23 higher.

Cadenza still in pain from the blade in her back that she cannot reach to pull out on her own, she swings on her last opponent. The Eurusi surrenders as he cradles the bleeding stump where his hand used to be. She points her blade at him while trying to decide whether or not to accept.

With the utter decimation of their sailors, those remaining throw down their weapons with dark, glowering curses. "We yield! We yield!" The hatch is easily pulled up, held upright by a hook and chain that allows the captives to climb out. Thirty-six in total, are freed from the belly of the ship, the majority of them under the age of sixteen. They are easily transferred to the Arvani ship, all of them extremely grateful to their rescuers.

Rysen checked perception + empathy at difficulty 15, rolling 14 higher.

Rysen checked composure at difficulty 15, rolling 4 lower.

Ian lets the tip of his sword dip to a lazy angle when swords start hitting the deck around them. Since he's still unhurt, he'll take it upon himself to herd the surrendering Eurusi sailors to wherever they were keeping their prisoners. He's not afraid to use that sword (or, more often, its basket hilt) as an enforcement tool if anyone's slow about following orders.

Rysen sheathes his swords, and watches as the would be slaves board the Compact ship. A fire of rage burns in the eyes of the Knight of the Northlands as he sees those young people exit the hold of the Eurusi ship.

Reese lifts up the hatch, allowing the captured children to climb out. She then looks them over, sucking in a soft breath and looking a troubled so so many taken and so young. She tries to do her best to be comforting to them, gently introducing herself and promising to help them return home. Rysen is given her attention too. "You look injured, Lord Rysen." She says softly to him. When they return to their ship she will look over Cadenza with concern too. "We will need to get you to a healer, but damn...you held our ship alone."

Reese is overheard praising Cadenza: She held our ship alone, is a great sailor and warrior!

Reese is overheard praising Ian: Stinky scraft, head butting, creative, calm and fearless!

Reese is overheard praising Rysen: Willing to surface to fight against slavery, a big-hearted and talented warrior.

"What I NEED is to get this damned knife out of my back!" she growls.

"It's nothing, but thank you, Your Highness," says Rysen to Reese, forcing a smile. He makes his way over to Cadenza, and lays a hand on her shoulder if she'll let him. "Well done. Your skill in sailing is amazing, My Lady." He glances at her back and winces when he sees she's got a knife buried in it.

Reese tries to check out Cadenza's back, looking for a knife! She winces too. "Oh, that is not good."

There are grumbles from the Eurusi, but they, with a bit of prodding from Ian, make their way into the hold. The group are victorious! Prisoners taken and captives freed!

Rysen is overheard praising Reese: Beautiful in form, ideals and skill, no one inspires like Princess Reese!

Rysen is overheard praising Ian: Fearless.

Rysen is overheard praising Cadenza: Masterful sailing, excellent swordplay.

Cadenza braces herself on the rail. "Just pull the damn thing and put pressure on it."

"I can try, but I am not trained at medicine." Reese say a she hovers near Cadenza, looking somber and worried. "Do you know any medicine?" She asks of Rysen. She doesn't even bother to ask Ian that!

Rysen shakes his head, but goes to grab a relatively clean towel. "There's got to be a doctor on board, no?" he says, glancing around.