It is an overcast afternoon on the docks of Maelstrom when a distraught women who looks be in her late twenties and who is wearing the clothing a commoner comes franticly rushing by the walkway. There are tears on her lashes and streaking down her cheeks as she starts toward the tavern. The docs has various sailors and citizens of Maelstrom going about their lives. It looks normal although the people are more somber and wary than they might otherwise be, with the war going on and all.

Alexis and Regla walk together from the fort, with the tiny knight hefting her burden of two massive swords, and with her chain clinking softly as she moves. "I'm not -expecting- trouble," She notes, with another one of her awkward smiles. "But I do appreciate your company - and the extra sword. Even so." Blinking as she sees the teary-eyed commoner woman, she stops. "Ah, miss? Do you need help?"

"Maybe not expecting, but...." Regi trails off, her hands lifting and sort of waving to the general state of things. That state being: Trouble. When Alexis comes to a stop she stops as well, a brow lifting a bit, one thumb hooking through her belt before she glances around, letting the knight do the talking.

Faelan is making his way down to the docks from the fort as well, though his steps falter a bit when he sees the crying woman. But right now? With people dying all around? It's not an entirely uncommon sight. He looks down towards the docks where he's due, then back towards the crying woman and gruffs softly before he turns from the docks and moves in the direction of the crying woman. He spots and nods to Alexis and Regla when he spots them adressing the same crying woman. He draws closer, but stops a few paces away, letting Alexis do the talking as well.

Edward goes for a walk down by the docks. Edward goes for a walk to the tavern down by the docks. And that is how he ends up following the Dame and Sword though some paces behind as they slow for the woman. Edward himself pauses at the entrance to the tavern and leans a shoulder against the wall by the door. Either because he needs to or for some curiosity that has him watching the events unfold.

Graham had returned recently and as quickly as possible from taking care of some business. The young Stormwood moves through the streets looking around as if taking in the buildings and thier placement he looks up though and spots the lady as she looks upset though he doesnt want to crowd her he moves that direction.

Eilonwy is taking a break from the injured. Walking slowly and breathing as she rolls her head on her neck then rolls her shoulders. Perhaps more supplies have been brought in. The triage healer deciding it's worth a peek at the docks.

The woman looks to Alexis and blinks back her tears or at least she tries to, but she is not doing a very good job of such. She then glances all the others who are gathered here and sucks in a sharp breath. "I..I need..to know...are you the warriors who have come to protect maelstrom?" She questions.

Regla checked perception + empathy at difficulty 15, rolling 2 lower.

Edward checked perception + empathy at difficulty 15, rolling 4 higher.

Faelan checked perception + empathy at difficulty 15, rolling 4 lower.

Graham checked perception + empathy at difficulty 15, rolling 5 lower.

Alexis checked perception + empathy at difficulty 15, rolling 4 lower.

"Uh. Yes, I guess that's a good a name for us as any." Alexis offers, with as friendly a smile as she can manage. "I'm Dame Alexis Wyrmfang, Sword of Blancbier. This is Lady Regla Navegant, Sword of Escuma. That's Baron Edward Stormreef. And that's Lord Faelan Navegant." She pauses. Then offers a rueful smile in Graham's direction. "...I'm sorry. I don't think I know you, my lord."

A distraught woman in her late twenties and adorned in common clothing is standing on the docks. She speaking with Alexis. Faelan, Graham, Regla and Edward are nearby as well. It is the middle of the afternoon and is overcast.

Edward speaks up from where he is and he says to the lady, "Tell them what happened." and then he adds for everyone else's benefit, "There's trouble. Find out what she knows. Calm her down." with that said he is now more alert as he begins to look around while he checks the draw on his sword.

"Among other things, yeah." Regi replies, one corner of her mouth kicking upwards as she glances back towards the woman, "Been very busy, you know...lo..." She stops when Edward speaks up, glancing in his direction before she glances around. Calm? Right. "What sort of trouble?" She wonders, and instead of being very calming she starts to draw her sword, which probably has the opposite effect of being helpful.

Edward checked charm + empathy at difficulty 15, rolling 9 higher.

    Vesper, Knight of Solace, is taking up the rear - following Eilonwy, the healer, on her way to check on supplies down at the docks. She slows down, coming to a halt in the group that is gathering around the distraught woman. Certain words catch her attention. The most important one being: /trouble./ She smiles, it's like she's baring her teeth, "Good day, mistress. Breathe, and tell us what happened."

Vesper checked charm + empathy at difficulty 15, rolling 5 higher.

Graham checked charm + empathy at difficulty 15, rolling 3 lower.

"...go on. Tell them what is going on." Edward tells the woman giving her a light smile and a nod, "They are the most capable people in front of you right now to help you."

Faelan stands back, letting the others do the talking, and trying not to look threatening. Not that Regla and Alexis don't look threatening as well. He looks over towards Edward as he speaks, then back towards Regla and Alexis before his head tilts to the side a little bit. "I think maybe we should let just one or two talk yeah?" This comment made to the rest of the group around the woman. "GOnna overwhelm the poor lady."

Graham looks away from the upset woman to answer. "Sorry i'm Graham Stonewood." He comments with a friendly smile though looking back he will let the others talk though will try and look calm to help defuse the situation if he can be of help.

The woman is still crying as she looks over those gathered here. She nods in response to Alexis' words. "Oh, oh..good..." She says toward her. She then turns her attention to Edward, giving him a nod. When Regi draws her sword she takes a backwards step, seemingly nervous. "I..I need to know...about the weapons." She stammers. she looks hopefully toward Vesper and Edward, seemingly to trust them the most. She is wary of Graham. "I just need a little information on the weapons. Three pieces of good information, please, do you know anything?" She says, looking pleadingly between Edward and Vesper.

    Vesper's sharp eyebrows loft, as everything she's heard is secondhand knowledge - and even that might not be particularly trustworthy, "What do you mean, mistress...?" She looks over the others that might know what weapons the Distraught Woman might be referring to. She does rest her hands at her belt, in plain sight. Fierce, but attempting to be nonthreatening.

"Three pieces of good information?" Regi's eyes narrow just a fraction, "I'm going to ask...why?" She wonders, a brow lifting just a little, shoulders tensing, "Seems like an awfully strange sort of question to be asking when you're all upset about shit..."

Alexis shoots a bright smile to Vesper as she spots the Knight of Solace, and is, quite honestly, relieved to have someone else do the talking - visible in the way her shoulders slump a little. Still, when the distressed woman speaks, she pays attention, nodding here and there. Quirking a brow. "Uh. I can't help you there, mistress," She offers apologetically. Giving a small nod of thanks to Graham. "Dame Alexis," She offers, more informally - since he probably heard her the first time.

"Well sure." Edward says simply, "They were mentioned in old books. There are people looking for them. We do not know how many there are out there. One, two three. So who are you going to rush back and tell that to?" he keeps his hand on the pommel of his sword while he looks around again before focusing on the woman. His air and demeanor still painfully casual.

Faelan cants his head to the side slightly as the woman asks about the weapons. "And why would you be needing to know about that eh?" Faelan doesn't draw his axe quite yet, but he's got his hand on it, and on the haft of it, ready to draw the weapon. "Somethin isn't right." He comments softly to Regla and Alexis, the two closest to himself, nodding in Graham's direction, and Vesper's as well, but mostly his eyes are on the weepong woman who's asking about weapons. And he slowly does slip his axe out of it's loop, though he makes sure that he does it behind Regla and Alexis so it's not readily visible.

"I..I don't know." The woman says toward Vesper. "They said they want to know about the weapons. I don't know anything about them, but he said that you might know. I mean, the visiting warriors might know." She adds. The woman listens to Edward with close attention. "I hope that will be enough." The woman says, but she doesn't sound certain. She looks nervous still. "They are on the beach and they have my children. They said they would only give them back for a good piece of information about the weapons for each child and if I don't get this to them by nightfall, they will kill them." She says finally confessing. "Um..I should go tell them." She says, sounding quite worried.

Vesper checked perception + empathy at difficulty 15, rolling 9 higher.

Faelan checked perception + empathy at difficulty 15, rolling 1 higher.

"...We can't leave the children at the mercy of the whims of these people, whomever they are." Alexis replies, eyes widening. "We have to save them. Somehow. Uh." She pauses, chewing on her lower lip. "We need to figure out a way to approach them and... Keep them safe as we do so."

    Vesper offers a small, tight smile - completely in sympathy, "I understand that you're afraid, Mistress. You want your children safe. Clearly, anyone that would use your child as a bargaining chip are of the lowest sort," the Knight agrees with Alexis, nodding once.

"Hells." Faelan grumbles, sliding his axe back into the loop on his belt for it. "She's telling the truth." He grumbles, tilting his head back to peer up at the sky for a few seconds. "Give her info? Let her get her kids? Be ready in case they actually don't or won't hand them over? Maybe follow them? Or.." He looks to Regla. "We could use the info to trap them. See if they come after the weapons. Tell her where they're 'stored'?" He arches a brow at his cousin, then looks around at the group. "I'm going to guess that they aren't going to come through on their end, so we'd need to be ready to step in..." Faelan grumbls and starts to pace, stepping back behind the rest of the group as he does so.

"As sorry as I am about your children, is it worth providing what is...most likely our enemies with information that'll get many more of us killed?" Regi shakes her head just a fraction, "I say we just go down there and kill them...not the children, the others, and find out what they already know. Who they are probably working for seems obvious."

"No we cannot.." Graham agrees with them about leaving the children in the hands of whomever took them. "I perhaps though dont understand what they are after though information about our plans of defense or numbers?" the young Stonewood says a bit unsure on this.

"They are going to kill her and he children once she tells them anything. So we have to draw them out." Edward says as he rubs his side in an unconscious manner while he still leans where he is, "So why not let her get an information source that we can bait them in with." he motions to her, "Have her tell them that someone who was on the hunt for them is going to come to her somewhere nearby. Or that she met with someone and rendered them unconscious and dragged them close for them to capture."

"Maybe you, uh..." Alexis offers a small smile to the woman, trying to be encouraging. "Convinced me to come have a picnic with you at the beach, not far from where the children are. So the men can come capture me and question me?" She suggests. Looking at the others. Alexis is not a good liar.

The woman seems hopeful as Alexis and Vesper speak of helping to rescue her children. She then looks toward Faelan and her hope only increases. "Thank you." She looks worried as Regla speaks. "I..I don't know they just wanted to know about he weapons." The woman says, sounding confused. She looks toward Edward, giving him a nod. "Um..I will do what it takes to save my babies, just tell me what." She says. The woman seems to have faith int his group or maybe she doesn't have many other options.

"They want info, we give it to them. Doesn't have to be accurate. Just has to sound real. So long as it sounds real maybe they'll let the kids go. I doubt it, but maybe. So we give her information, and we get into position to take them down if they don't follow their end. If they do? And let the kids go? We can ambush them anyway. Bastards using children?" Faelan's head shakes slowly. He tips his head to Edward as the man pretty much echoes what Faelan had already said. "The Baron understands." He flashes Edward a quick grin and looks back towards the rest of the group. "It's as solid a plan as any."

    "Drawing them into a space where we would be able to control the situation does seem wise," Vesper murmurs over, nodding, but. Although, with a blink over at Alexis. "You're earnest. But, your appearance is misleading enough to lull a blackguard into making a fucking stupid mistake." With a grin, relenting to the idea. "Mm. Make up false facts."

"You are probably the most...not scary of us." Regi agrees, glancing down at Alexis, her head tilting before she shrugs, "Fine, but you got to be careful what you say....whoever, whatever, just..." She shifts her hand on her sword, "I'll wait until it's time to hurt them, you all decide the plan."

"And she is healthy and hale." Edward says, "So that makes her not a good choice." he takes a breath and then says, "I am the best choice." he motions, "She can go with me down a ways halfway to where they are and then claim she knocked me out after promising me a bit of pleasure before I would go out again. She can tell them I was on the weapons expedition which they might already know and given that I am wounded they will find me to be easy to handle. And I am. So if they kick me its going to fucking hurt."

The woman has isn't crying, but her lashes and her cheeks are still damp. She seems to be interested in this plan. "Okay, I like that." She says, giving Edward this hopeful and grateful look. "Should we go do this now?"

Graham looks back and forth "I am not sure we should risk any wounded even yourself, but I would voulenteer myself if it would be of any help?" He looks on to those here stepping the rest of the way over to the group to be more involved now he cant let the children pay the price for such a decision.

"As long as someone is a hapless victim." Alexis offers. Furrowing her brow, offering a small smile to Regla and Vesper again. Then giving Edward a dubious look. "I agree with Lord Graham. Risking someone already wounded..." She trails off.

"Edward'll be fine." Regi shakes her head, a hand moving to settle on Alexis' shoulder, "And we're going to be waiting, right?" She glances at her cousin, "Some of us are going to be a little harder to hide than others...but we're not going to give them the chance to do him any harm. And if they do, he'll be fine. Right Edward?"

    "... If my lord wishes to make himself expendable, I do not see why one would stand in his way of playing as bait. Even more hapless looking, and in truth, truly so." A look over at the others, Vesper squares her shoulders out, lifting her chin. "I'll stand with the majority's decision. But, if we are planning an ambush, we need all able bodies to defend."

Edward leans up off the wall as he nods, "Yep. I will be fine." he starts to walk towards the cluster and then he motions to the woman, "You tell them you got someone who was on the expedition and you hit me on the head hard enough to knock my wits loose but not kill me." he motions to her, "So let's get moving. Their patience will not last as along as a committee's desire to dicker."

The woman nods in response to the gathered party, seemingly eager to try this plan. "Thank you." She says again. "They are on the beaches.." She adds and will lead the party that way. The beaches don't have a a lot in the way of hiding places, but there are ships anchored there. It is still in the afternoon, but getting later. The woman will point off to a old looking wooden ship. ""They are in there."

"I meant no disrespect, just caution but I will go along with this plan." Graham comments about who is to be used as bait. He looks about the group back and forth a bit though he will remain quiet to be given instructions about how they will proceed.

"I'll put my hood up, and carry a big basket of fish or something. Blend right in." Faelan will certainly not blend right in. And he knows it. He flashes Regla a wide grin. "I think we should take the fuckers alive. Question them, then keel haul the bastards. Children?" He spits on the ground in disgust and shakes his head again. "The Baron's plan is sound. And he'll look like a much easier target because he's already injured. He's a grown fucking man and knows the risk he's placing himself at. His choice. Plus we'll all be ready to storm that fucking beach. Sands haven't had their blood today after all." Once they're led to where they need to go he grins. "Well fuck. I can hide no problem. I'll just start a few docks down and swim my ass over there." And he heads off to go do just that, walking down the nearest dock looking for a spot that's out of sight of the indicated boat.

Vesper checked perception + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 13 higher.

Regla checked perception + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 3 higher.

Faelan checked perception + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 12 higher.

Graham checked perception + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 6 higher.

Alexis checked perception + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 17 higher.

    A stray comment beneath Vesper's breath with a smirk, ambling along with one hand resting nonchalantly on the hilt of her sword. "Canoodling." It's a fair summary on her thoughts on the decision that's been made. Heading down toward the beaches where the ships are anchored out. "Hiding in plain sight." Quietly, studying the landscape. "We'll need to draw them onto the shore at the very least." With a jut of her chin toward the camp, "Or, they may be them, gathered so. Taking their drink before supper."

Alexis looks dubious. But gives a small nod at Faelan's conclusions. Moving alongside the others. Giving a small nod towards the bushes and whatnot. "We can try to hide there? I'm not the stealthiest, but hopefully I can sit still without making too much noise?" She suggests, giving a few nods of agreement with Vesper. "We need to know where the kids are - so we can save them."

Regla's just following at this point, not making any of the decisions on what they do, or when. Instead she just follows, looking around the beach before she points out, "I don't see children at the camp, if that is them...can anyone else?"

The men are in front of a ship, so it is highly likely that are some other people on the ship. The woman looks Regla. "That is the men." She whispers.

Vesper checked dexterity + stealth at difficulty 15, rolling 3 higher.

Regla checked dexterity + stealth at difficulty 15, rolling 3 higher.

Faelan checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 6 higher.

Faelan checked dexterity + stealth at difficulty 15, rolling 11 higher.

Alexis has rolled a critical success!
Alexis checked dexterity + stealth at difficulty 15, rolling 37 higher.

Its time to move with the others and so he will though he's pondering whaht's best to not cause failure for the mission at hand. Graham will study the scene on the beach. "I will likely need the path with most cover my armor makes me someone less than stealthy i'm afraid, though I will try.

"Are they?" Regi wonders, then she shrugs, taking the woman at her word before she moves off to find herself a place to hide. Somewhat effectively it seems, for the most part. She at least doesn't stick out entirely, right?

Graham checked dexterity + stealth at difficulty 15, rolling 7 higher.

    A copse of bushes and that outcropping of rocks serves as a good enough place to crouch and mostly hide Vesper.

The others break off to hide, leaving Edward and the woman alone on the beach. She tries to flirt with him and to behave like she is trying to lure him over. The woman is not the best actress and she likely seems more nervous than anything. She draws him closer to the ship and eventually stops. She has one hand on his arm and with her hand she hits him in the back of the head with the handle of her blade. That likely did hurt Edward, it was a real hit! He is conscious though. He can choose to drop and pretend to be knocked out or not.

The men by the ship have noticed this and are looking over at them.

Edward checked charm + manipulation at difficulty 15, rolling 33 higher.

Reese GM Roll checked charm(2) + manipulation(1) at difficulty 15, rolling 0 higher.

Reese GM Roll checked perception(2) + survival(2) at difficulty 15, rolling 12 higher.

Alexis is fairly small, and so it's not -too- hard for her to hide alongside Vesper, alongside the rocks. She very very carefully readies the newer of her swords.

And like a sack of potatoes the Baron drops. And goes still. His body stretched out so it is easier to breath and so he is face down in the sand. One hand tucked behind him along the back of his belt and the other in front of him to the side.

Vesper wields Patience, a broadsword of the Silver Order.

Regla wields Gloria's Kiss, Blade of Last Whispers.

Alexis wields The Dragon's Daughter, an Alaricite Greatsword.

Graham moves along with the others moving as silent as he's able to at least while also trying to keep whatever eyes on the woman and their 'bait' knowing things could go down hill really fast if they arent cautious. He'll remove his sword from his hip in readiness.

The woman just barely manages to pull of her act, it probably helps that being nervous would be rather normal. Five of the men seem fully taken in by this and three rise to their feet and start heading over. One of the men, a grizzled sailor in his fifties appears suspicious. "I thought I saw someone out there..." He says rising to his feet also, touching the hilt of his weapon and peering out over the beach. "Someone is out there." He adds toward the three who are walking toward Edward. They are on the alert now and draw their own weapons, but they haven't yet spotted those on the beach.

Faelan checked perception + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 2 lower.

Faelan checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 30, rolling 9 lower.

Faelan has gone swimming. He finds the hidden spot he was looking for and drops down into the water, careful to make as little noise as possible. And then he goes swimming, making his way through the water, moving from cover to cover as much as possible to shield sight of him from the target boat. He makes his way through the water over to said old wooden boat and grips onto it, moving around to try to find a good spot to climb up. When he doesn't find one he tries to climb up anyway, and takes a tip off of the boat, creating quite the splash. "FUCK HELLS!!!" He shouts out. If he's going to make noise, he's going to make a fuckload of it.\

Alexis has joined the line.

Graham has joined the line.

Vesper has joined the line.

Edward has joined the line.

Regla has joined the line.

It is now Alexis's turn to speak.

Faelan has joined the line.

Well. There goes the element of surprise. Ish. Best use it while they still have it. Or that's what Alexis would be explaining if she had the time to... Explain. But she doesn't. Instead she vaults over the stones, sword in hand, clasping the Dragon's Daughter in both hands, letting the massive blade sweep by her side, as she charges - towards the distant fire, a full-throated and somewhat high-pitched yell escaping as she makes her wway towards the pair left behind. While she stands no chance of actually reaching the two, she does bring her sword down, hard, into the sand - sendint it spraying outwards and spattering across the fire, causing sparks and embers to flare as the camp is disturbed.

It is now Graham's turn to speak.

The men at the fire seem startled by Alexis. They stumble to their feet, reach for the hilts of their weapons and look a bit startled. She has their attention. Three of the men are heading toward Edward and the woman. They notice Alexis as well, but haven't had time to react yet. Some men come pouring onto the deck of the ship after hearing Faelan they also don't have time to act yet.

Graham turns back at the sound of the splash and the cry, though he doesn't really have time to process that nope as the newly met lady bolts towards the enemies though he does keep in mind at least to not le them get flanked making sure that he can at least keep a route open to get back out again.

It is now Vesper's turn to speak.

    It's one showy way to direct attention away from the others, Vesper will grant it to the small fight-knight as Alexis is going full-out with her massive sword in hand - and such a war cry too. She grins, wolfish, and darts out from her hiding place, toward the trio of men that are closing the distance between the woman (who needs to be protected) and the blackguards (who need to bleed) with only a distant thought for the figure of the Baron playing unconscious (he can take care of his sharded self.) Her Patience is drawn, and she is is prepared to step forward and use it.

It is now Edward's turn to speak.

Edward's unconscious. Or seems to be. He does not move yet waiting for the men to get closer while he listens to their approach. He cracks an eye lightly to see if he can get a peek on progress but otherwise does not move.

It is now Regla's turn to speak.

Splashing and people noticing, and then people moving...it's all a bit obvious that the jig is up. Regi moves out from where she's been hiding as well, pulling her sword before she begins to follow Alexis and Vesper.

It is now Faelan's turn to speak.

Faelan checked perception + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 15 higher.

Faelan checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 13 higher.

Vesper has joined the line.

Regla has joined the line.

Faelan splashes, a lot, making all sorts of noise in the water to distract the guys. "Gonna rip out your fucking entrails and use them to tie around your neck and keel haul you miserable fucks!" This shouted at the men up on the wooden ship as he tries to find some purchase to begin climbing again. He finds his spot, and grips tight, starting to climb up the side of the ship, shouting and hollering insults as he climbs. "My axe is gonna drink well tonight!" You know, as he climbs upwards towards said men, a feral grin on his lips, baring his teeth at the men above him.

Faelan has joined the line.

Alexis has joined the line.

Graham has joined the line.

There are about eight sailors on the ship and at least four of them are drawing bows as Faelan starts to climb. He will make it up shortly and he will be there with eight of the men on the deck! Alexis and Vesper stand before the three who were near the fire, among is the grizzled and more alert one. Three of the men have drawn close to Edward and the woman. They have heir weapons drawn. Everyone will be able to act or attack soon.

Edward has joined the line.

It is now Vesper's turn to speak.

    With her broadsword drawn, and if she's close enough, Vesper is aiming her slash-and-thrust toward the most alert of the sailors - the grizzled old sailor.

Vesper checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 20, rolling 19 higher.

It is now Regla's turn to speak.

Regla checked perception + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 3 higher.

Everything on the beach seems to be...mostly handled. But the ship itself and the fact that only her cousin is there seems to be distracting enough that Regla shifts her path and starts to head for the ship, looking for a way onto it.

Regla checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 10 higher.

It is now Faelan's turn to speak.

Once a way up is spotted, Regla starts to ascend the ship as quickly as she can to go to her cousins aid.

Faelan checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 20, rolling 28 higher.

Reese GM Roll checked dexterity(2) + dodge(1) at difficulty 20, rolling 13 lower.

Alexis checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 20, rolling 18 higher.

Vesper checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 20, rolling 5 higher.

Faelan checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 20, rolling 17 higher.

Faelan checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 25, rolling 16 higher.

Faelan checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 2 higher.

Regla checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 20, rolling 22 higher.

Regla checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 25, rolling 13 higher.

Regla checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 17 higher.

Faelan is climbing, until he's at the side of the ship, his axe comes free as he throws himself over the rail and onto the ship, and right at one of the bowmen, shouting threats and obscenities the entire time, and generally screaming like a madman as he goes for one of the bowmen, bringing the axe down. There's a crunch as it bites into it's target, though he doesn't get a look at how much damage he did, too busy wrenching it out and whirling to face the whole gaggle of men he's climbed onto the boat with. And he even starts to sing as he fights.

Graham checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 20, rolling 19 higher.

Graham checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 35 higher.

Graham checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 20, rolling 36 higher.

Graham checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 25, rolling 7 higher.

There are three sailors in leather armor and carrying steel weapons by the woman and Edward. One of them goes to attack her, these are not nice guys that is clear! Graham is able to step in the way, parring the blow that was meant for her. He is attacked by all three me and dodges all three blows. He attacks one of these men, leaving him wounded. Edward is still on the ground playing knocked out. Alexis and Vesper are fighting three of the sailors and two appear to be injured. Falan is on the ship with eight men around him. He dodged several blows and injured one of the archers. Regla is climbing up to join him.

Regla has joined the line.

It is now Alexis's turn to speak.

Vesper has joined the line.

Stupidity or bravery.. very close to being the same thing sometimes. Graham will rush towards the mother/Edward and the baddies near them when close enough his sword swipes down upon one of the baddies, but the time of surprise is over and it's his turn to dance away from their strikes. The last aimed at the mother he'll press his shoulder to her knocking her out of the way.

Alexis checked dexterity + huge wpn at difficulty 20, rolling 48 higher.

It is now Graham's turn to speak.

Graham checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 20, rolling 45 higher.

"You sure you don't want to call on your friends?" Alexis asks of the two men still standing. "I like to fight fair." She sweeps her sword wide, catching the flat of it against the stomach of the man Vesper already hit, and then sweeping it up to whack the dragon's claw and gem against the back of his head to drop the man. Assuming a defensive stance. "For each harm done to those kids, I will visit harm upon you in turn. But if they are unharmed and go free, I'll speak on your behalf," she promises.

It is now Edward's turn to speak.

Alexis has rolled a critical success!
Alexis checked command + diplomacy at difficulty 15, rolling 7 higher.

Graham places himself between the mother, and the one who attacked her to start gets his focus a quick moment apparently he didnt like that move, as his sword strikes out piercing the mans chest whom falls dead to the beach.

Edward checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 20, rolling 23 higher.

It is now Regla's turn to speak.

Regla checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 20, rolling 38 higher.

When the three turn, Edward rises then. He growls though one arm crosses his body to cover his ribs he draws his sword with the others, "Big mistake boys..," he growls before his blade is stabbed right into the back of the man in front of him, the tip piercing through the shoulder area before he draws it back and raises it. As blood drips from it he snarls, "Now its a fair right."

It is now Vesper's turn to speak.

This might not have been the first time that Regi has scaled a ship, maybe it has. Probably hasn't. After reaching the top she drags herself over, and the minute her feet hit the deck she's moving towards the nearest target. As she moves she draws her sword once more, slashing the at the archer in one motion.

Vesper checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 20, rolling 0 higher.

Faelan has joined the line.

Alexis has joined the line.

Vesper has joined the line.

Regla has joined the line.

Graham has joined the line.

    With a strong arm, Vesper brings up the blade, tilts it smoothly in her hand to avoid sticking the sailor with the pointy end - and she slams the pommel of the broadsword into the man's temple with a very satisfying noise. He drops like a sack of potatoes. Vesper watches the man fall, impassively, and she shrugs. No witty one-liners from her.

Edward has joined the line.

Graham has taken out one of the men near him and two are left. Edward now is on his feet and he attacked one of the remaining two leaving him him injured. The mother is nearby and they are on the beach. Thanks to Graham and Edward she is safe so far.
%On the beach closer to the ship is Alexis and Vesper. Two of men on them are taken down and knocked out. One is still standing. "The kids won't be hurt!" The remaining sailor calls, apparently moved by Alexis' words. "Don't hurt the kids!" He calls up toward the boat. "Fuck you!" one of the sailors yells down. Faelan took out one and Regla injured another. Seven still are standing on the deck. One of the sailors goes about trying to pull up the anchor. It seems they are going to try and attempt to escape to sea with Regla, Faelan and likely the three kid son board. The kids are no where to be seen, but his boat has rooms beneath the deck.

Graham has taken out one of the men near him and two are left. Edward now is on his feet and he attacked one of the remaining two leaving him him injured. The mother is nearby and they are on the beach. Thanks to Graham and Edward she is safe so far.

On the beach closer to the ship is Alexis and Vesper. Two of men on them are taken down and knocked out. One is still standing. "The kids won't be hurt!" The remaining sailor calls, apparently moved by Alexis' words. "Don't hurt the kids!" He calls up toward the boat. "Fuck you!" one of the sailors yells down. Faelan took out one and Regla injured another. Seven still are standing on the deck. One of the sailors goes about trying to pull up the anchor. It seems they are going to try and attempt to escape to sea with Regla, Faelan and likely the three kid son board. The kids are no where to be seen, but his boat has rooms beneath the deck.

Edward checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 20, rolling 31 higher.

Graham checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 20, rolling 49 higher.

Regla checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 20, rolling 11 higher.

Regla checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 23, rolling 11 higher.

Regla checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 25, rolling 1 higher.

Regla checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 10 higher.

Faelan checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 20, rolling 7 higher.

Faelan checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 25, rolling 0 higher.

Faelan checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 3 higher.

Faelan checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 20, rolling 16 higher.

There's a roar from Faelan when he spots his cousin coming over the gunwale. That's really the only description for the noise he makes. He raises his axe in salute as he watches blood fly from her sword slash. He turns back to the men at hand, lifting said axe as he advances on them, focusing not on the wounded ones, but on the fresh ones who haven't yet felt a blade. He actually laughs when one of the men runs to pull up the anchor. "As if two Navegant don't know how to sail this little shit pile back to the beach after we finish butchering you all." He ignores the guy going for the anchor and just swings on the next guy in front of him, cheering as blood flies, shouting out praises to the gods as he fights. He's not a quiet person.

It is now Faelan's turn to speak.

It is now Alexis's turn to speak.

"Thank you," Alexis' words are heartfelt and genuine, as she looks to the man who surrendered. The anchor being weighed catches her attention, however, and she slides her blade home in the short sheath across her shoulder, shooting Vesper a look. "Can you make sure he doesn't run?" She asks - and then, as soon as she gets an answer in the affirmative, she's off like a shot, to make her way to the ship and hopefully follow that anchor all the way up.

Alexis checked perception + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 13 higher.

Alexis checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 56 higher.

It is now Vesper's turn to speak.

Alexis makes it out in time to haul herself against the anchor, scurrying up the chain like a metal-clad monkey.

It is now Regla's turn to speak.

Regla starts to take a second swipe at the archer, only to entirely miss the fact that someone has come up behind her. She will probably never live this fact down, but before she can even pull her arm back she takes the hilt of a sword right to the temple, which sends her to the deck like a sack of potatoes.

It is now Graham's turn to speak.

    With a nod in the positive along with a wordless grunt, Vesper juts her chin up to Alexis before the small Oathlander goes off. Next, she narrows her stormy eyes on the sailor that gave himself up. For that, he doesn't get knocked out, only guarded from any injury.

Graham checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 20, rolling 34 higher.

It is now Edward's turn to speak.

Edward checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 20, rolling 17 higher.

Faelan checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 20, rolling 32 higher.

Graham perhaps hears the surrender of the others upon the beach, or things have calmed down a little but he now will join the not killing game. He turns quickly "Safe only if those kids are." he says while the hilt of his sword is slammed into the injured ones head who then falls unconsious at his feet. Though he looks up in time to see the boat preparing to move away.

Edward checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 20, rolling 23 higher.

Faelan checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 20, rolling 25 higher.

Faelan checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 25, rolling 11 higher.

Faelan checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 7 lower.

There is a look to Graham as he knocks the one he was facing off. Then Edward shifts and brings his sword up to parry an attack by the other fellow, "Yeeow!" he growls as something in his side ahces and he just grunts and steps into the man and punches him in the face with a gauntlet clad hand while their swords are locked up, "Fuck you!"

Vesper takes moderate damage.

Faelan takes moderate damage.

The ship is starting to slow float away! Alexis is climbing up and will be there shortly. Faelan is fighting the remaining six men. One just knocked out his cousin, Regla, with a blow to the head. She is crumpled on the deck. Two are working on getting the ship moving and three attack him. One of their sword strike lands against his torso, biting through his leather armor and leaving behind a wound.

Vesper makes a rather intimating keeper and the man by her isn't trying to get away.

There is only man standing near Graham and Edward, but he is quite badly injured. "Please...stop, the kids won't be harmed." He says, but clearly has no control over that as the boat starts to sail without him.

Vesper has joined the line.

Faelan has joined the line.

It is now Vesper's turn to speak.

Graham has joined the line.

Edward has joined the line.

Alexis has joined the line.

    Listen, Vesper used to be a adventurer like you - and then she took an arrow to the kne -- oop. No, it comes from the ship, and it flies straight and true. Right into a vulnerable spot in her side. It stings, she winces, "Thirteenth's shadowy scrotum." And she sinks down to the ground, pressing her hands against the wound for now. Staying calm.

It is now Faelan's turn to speak.

Faelan checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 20, rolling 16 higher.

It is now Graham's turn to speak.

There's a bellow from Faelan when he sees his cousin go down. He charges past one of the men on the boat, swinging his axe, laughing as it bites deep and blood sprays. "Get the fuck off my ship you rats and maybe, just maybe you'll fucking live!" He bullrushes his way over towards his cousin, skidding to a halt over her, his axe lifted and ready. "Come on then!" He shouts at the men, watching as the little knight comes climbing up the anchor. "Dame!" He calls out to her, and takes a hit for his distraction. He grunts in pain and growls, turning and glaring at the man who hit him. "Gonna gut you." He promises the man, and advances on him, axe gripped harder in his hand. He swings, though there's a growl of pain from him as he swings.

Graham looks back to the ship, and well moments decision he can at least try to make it. "Keep her safe please." He speaks as he makes a rush for the boat though if he can find anywhere to climb up before it gets away or even make it up is another story.

Graham checked perception + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 3 lower.

Graham checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 30, rolling 12 lower.

It is now Edward's turn to speak.

Edward checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 20, rolling 25 higher.

It is now Alexis's turn to speak.

Then gautnlet from the blunt fist to the face comes back bloody leaving the guy the double over with his broken nose. That is when Edward uses the hilt guard and he slams it firmly against the back of his head dropping him like a sack. Edward rubs his side and he says, "Fuck." he kicks the man hard with his plated boots and then he starts to turn and does it one more time for good measure, "Fuck you." and then he goes to sit by the fire, leaving the others to handle the ship.

Graham is wearing heavy armor, and well his speed doesnt equal good climbing and though he finds a hand hold the ships movement with the water causes him to quickly lose that hold and he falls back to the water with a sploosh.

Alexis checked dexterity + huge wpn at difficulty 30, rolling 22 higher.

Alexis swings over the edge of the ship. Her blade is unstrapped, and she takes in the situation. Faelan. The fallen Regla. Her blood running cold. The tip of the Daughter stabbed against the deck. "Hey!" She calls out, to the pirates. "I heard you fine folk were looking for unusual weapons."

The short blonde hefts the blade again, raising it, letting the edge catch the evening sun so the silvery metal glitters. "This is the Dragon's Daughter. She was forged with the greatest care of fine alaricite." The knight rolls her shoulders. "Who wants to meet her first?"

And then, she charges in, voice raised in another one of those full-throated battle-cries, crashing into the nearest pirate and bringing the pommel up under his jaw. Hopefully he doesn't bite his tongue off.

Edward takes out the last fighting man on the beach. The mother looks toward the boat that starts to float away, seemingly concerned, there are tears on her lashes. One man is still surrendering to Vesper. "That has to hurt." He says when she is hit. He then gets up and tries to dart away, thinking she might be too injured to run! Alexis, Faelan and Regla are on the ship with six men still standing. Faelan is injured and Regla is knocked out.

Alexis checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 20, rolling 5 lower.

Alexis checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 25, rolling 15 higher.

Alexis checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 17 higher.

Faelan checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 20, rolling 30 higher.

Faelan checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 25, rolling 2 higher.

Faelan checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 1 lower.

Alexis takes moderate damage.

Faelan takes moderate damage.

Faelan and Alexis are both hit! Faelan has been injured twice and is looking pretty hurt. Graham is in the water and well things don't look great on the ship right now.

Vesper has joined the line.

Edward has joined the line.

Graham has joined the line.

Faelan has joined the line.

It is now Vesper's turn to speak.

Vesper checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 27 higher.

Vesper checked charm + intimidation at difficulty 20, rolling 7 higher.

It is now Edward's turn to speak.

%Vesper is still sitting on the ground, still beside the fire with the man that gave himself up, applying pressure to the arrow wound in her side. Humming to herself. The arrow remains in place, and she doesn't look particularly keen on pulling it out and bleeding all over herself. Although, with the man rising to run away - she bares her teeth in a pained hiss that rises in volume, "I think NOT." She swings her sword out to the side in an effort to trip him up. "Don't take advantage of my good humor, sir."

    When the twatwaffle of an escaping sailor faceplants into the sand, Vesper grins.

There is no way that Edward is chasing a ship under way. He goes to the fire the men were sitting at and he settles onto one of the stumps or rocks they were using and then he starts to rummage through their things. Looking to see if there are papers or orders or something with liquor in it. While he does he starts to sing, humming to him self but always ending with a sing songy, "And its hmm hmm hmm, back to the docks again."

It is now Graham's turn to speak.

Graham checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 2 lower.

It is now Faelan's turn to speak.

Faelan checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 20, rolling 27 higher.

Graham is persistant, but perhaps it's time to know when to quit. He will grip towards the ship but is weighted down by his armor.. He is unable to reach it and so he must struggle to both stay afloat though he's not trying for the boat now but now is going back towards land.

Edward is on the beach. The mother is too, watching with wide and worried eyes. Vesper trips the man trying to escape her, sending him sprawling. Apparently she is not too injured to take him down! Graham is struggling just not to sink in his steel right now. On board the ship, there are four men still standing. Alexis and Faelan are both injured, Regla remains knocked out.

Alexis checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 20, rolling 3 lower.

Alexis checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 25, rolling 14 higher.

Faelan takes another hit, and while yeah, the blood loss and the pain suck, and slow him down a little, he's more pissed off than anything. He is still keeping himself close to Regla's downed form, but with more people for the guys to pay attention to he's got a little more room to work, and work he does. He steps forwards, planting his boot hard onto the deck to avoid slipping in the blood on the wood, and swings his axe down hard, smashing it through the skull of one of the wonded men, slicking the deck with more blood, and letting out another bellow, this one mixed rage and pain, but he doesn't stray too far from Regla in case one of the guys tries to take a stab at the downed warrior. "You fuckers better pray I don't take any of you alive after this shit. Surrender now and I won't cut you off piece by fucking piece!"

Faelan checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 20, rolling 4 lower.

Faelan checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 25, rolling 8 lower.

Faelan takes serious damage.

Alexis takes moderate damage.

This is not going well at all, but Alexis and Faelan are seriously injured and four men are still standing. Graham is looking like he could drown.

Alexis has joined the line.

Faelan has joined the line.

It is now Alexis's turn to speak.

Graham has joined the line.

Alexis checked dexterity + huge wpn at difficulty 20, rolling 42 higher.

Faelan checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 20, rolling 21 higher.

Faelan checked command + intimidation at difficulty 15, rolling 31 higher.

Graham checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 10 higher.

Alexis sweeps her sword out again, thwacking the flat of the blade against a man's stomach, and running him right into the railing, yelling into his face and headbutting him in the nose, which leaves her bloodied (not her blood!) and the man knocked out. She, too, takes up a protective stance at the prone Regla. Exhaling. "You boys need to get more friends," She tells them. Wincing a little at the dagger that found its way past the links of her chain. "I don't like uneven fights, and you will need every last bit of help you can get. Surrender, and give up the children, and I will let the magistrates know you were willing to listen to reason."

Faelan takes two more hits, and now he staggers back, bleeding solidly. He looks down at himself, blade wounds scattered over his form. He looks back up with a wild grin, blood streaking down his armor. His blood and those of the others. "Come on then. I'll drag you to hell with me." He calls out, laughing again as he goes after them, instead of retreating, like a smart person. He swings his axe into one of the injured men, starting to sing again as the axe slams home with a crunch of bone. "Surrender to her or die to me. Your fucking choice." Hollers the man who is staggering under his own wounds but still advancing on the men in case they don't surrender to Alexis.

Graham is able to swim to shore. Edward and the mother are on the beach. Vesper is injured and keeping a captive under her watch. Alexis and Faelan are both seriously injured, but now the fight is turning in their favor. Two men are taken down and two remain. The remaining two seem frightened. "We surrender!" one calls out and the other stops fighting and drops his sword down. The boat is still floating away.

Graham manages to make the shore, but it was a struggle he coughs up a bit of water and flops onto the sand on his back for a moment trying to catch his breath.

"Okay, good." Alexis lowers her sword. "You, get us back to shore. Lord Faelan. Keep an eye on the man." She clears her throat. "Please." Then, she lets out a heavy breath, her left hand going to clutch at her wound. "You," She tells the other one. "Show me where the kids are." Another beat. "Please."

"Dame, you may want to fetch the children. I'm afraid I look a fucking sight." Faelan laughs and looks at the two living men. "You two? Take this fucking boat back to that shore." He points with his axe at the shore line and moves to find somewhere for him to sit down, with his axe across his knees. "Listen to the lady." Faelan is still bleeding, though he smiles at the men. "And before you even think it? I can still fucking kill you both on my own. Only two of you now. The lady knight? She could kill you both too. So try anything? You're dead twice over. Just be good boys and do as you're told."

The men seem quite frightened of Faelan and they follow his orders. "They are down below." One of the men say and Alexis is able to head that way if she chooses.

Alexis wrinkles her nose, but nods, and heads below deck - finding the barred door and easily breaking it open. "Hello?" She asks, as non-threatening as she can. "My name is Dame Alexis Wyrmfang. I'm here to bring you back to your mother."

Alexis is able to make her way below the ship and she finds three children ages eight, six and four. They three commoner girls. They are unharmed and locked in a room, but Alexis can bust the door open and get to them. They seem frightened.

Alexis isn't the best of nursemaids, despite what Alis might say. But she's happy to settle down with the kids, and try to reassure them while the ship is brought back to shore.