The Dragon Isles

[Dungeon Master]

The Dragon Isles
Book 1
1/26/2004

Pt 1

Merrilee glides thru the air, letting Avros spread her wings, and get some fresh air after being cooped up in the forward hold. Below, the Kingfisher rises and falls on the waves on the North Sirrion Sea.

It has been two weeks since setting out from the Bay of Branchala, and the Gates of Paladine of Palanthus. The Dark Knight forces has thinned some from what you had expected to find. The Knights did not bother with the Ship and did not come aboard looking for contraband. You think you have the Ship’s captain to thank for that. Mikal Vardan has turned out to be an excellent ship’s captain and has led the group true thus far is also a plus. It’s also a plus that he is extremely handsome and sexy too.

Course we did just have to end up with a Kender stowaway for this trip. His name is Tripleknot Spellcracker or just Trip for short. He hasn’t turned out as annoying as some Kender you have run across, and he hasn’t been a nuisance in the way of finding things for us either, though some things have come up missing, it has been nothing to kill him over. The Kender seems to be under the protection of the Captain and the two seem to know each other for another time on the high seas.

Las has been okay thank the gods. That dark elf Mage girl was raiding her memories since they got together. It was a ring that was doing it, and it has since been put safely away with extreme apologies from the dark elf. She says it was not her will that was doing it, but you’re not one hundred percent on that. There is an attraction between the two, but Las also confided in you that she also thought Mik was hot too.

The Kingfisher left the known charts this morning, and we are now in the unknown north seas.

The sun is staring it’s westerly decline and you start to signal to Avros to head back to the ship when you see trouble up ahead. Dark clouds on the horizon meaning only one thing . . . . A Storm.





Incoming
Pt. 2
Posted by Dave

She circled the ship, bringing her griffon in to land on the deck. "Stay until I return." she said to her mount, and walked up to the bridge.

"Mikal. Storm deep ahead. It looks like a bad one. I'll rejoin you shortly, I've got to get my griffon below decks."


The Storm
Pt.3
By the DM


The crew readies the Kingfisher for the storm. Mik yells orders and the crew follows his every word.

The storm hits as the sun dips into the west and the darkness starts to settle in.

Mik comes down to the deck and catches Merrilee before she has the Griffon lowered into the Hold. “If I was you, would get those griffons up out of the hold and let them fend for themselves. They could fly above the storm and not be thrown around down there, but that only a suggestion. Take it for what you will.”

He moves off and yells at Trip to get out of the Crow’s Nest and to get below. The Kender is having the time of his life up there and only reluctantly starts to climb down. The waves get to 9 feet and Parn feels his stomach start to give in. He tries to make it to the side but blows onto the deck. It’s hard to keep you footing and fear starts to set in. The waves just get higher and higher and soon everyone is holding onto something solid for dear life and then it happens.

A tentacle reaches up and knocks down a few crewmembers. Three more tentacles reach up and grab onto the ship.









Crash of Thunder
Part 4
Posted by Dave

"Damn it all to the Abyss!" Marrilee swears as the waves crest higher and higher against the ship. Avros, usually calm in the face of most any threat, bucks against his lead. "Easy, Mir Cshalla, easy." Merrilee coos to her fiery mount "No hold for you. Mik is right, you can handle this storm much better than the rest of us, in the sky." She quickly unfastens the hold's boom rigging from the griffon.

"Las!" Merrilee calls "Las, get your griffon out of the hold, now, before the storm smashes everything to bits!" Then a tentacle reaches over the side and slaps down a couple of sailors. "Oh, Goddess, no." Merrilee's eyes widen. "Damn, Damn, Damn!" She releases Avros at last from the rigging, and the Griffon leaps in to the air.


The ship was rocking worse than ever, and even someone as unused to the ocean as Las was could tell something was wrong. She left the small cabin she shared with Merrilee and lurched her way up the narrow stairs to the main deck.

"Damn, Damn, Damn!" Las heard Merrilee's voice, tinged with fear. Instantly she went on alert, quickly scanning the deck, seeing Avros take off from the deck; striving for the sky. She ran to her sister and the Hold. "Listen" Merrilee yelled above the crash of the storm "get your mount out of there, and fast! Something" the ship lurched first one way, then the other "is attacking the ship!" Las bolted down to the hold, silently cursing the "wisdom" of keeping the fierce griffins below decks. Once there, she ran for her mount, fighting back panic as the ship groaned and shifted beneath her feet.

When Las had finally managed to get her mount off the ship, sailors were running to and fro apparently fighting with the mysterious creature, or creatures, wrestling with the ship.


Attack of the Sea Monster
Part 5
Posted by the DM

The cutlasses and axes come out and the crew head toward the flailing tentacles. They cut and hack, and Merrilee comes over to help once Las’s Griffon is up and out of the way. You are all covered with purplish blood.

This is the first Sea Serpent Trip has ever seen in his long time at sea. He watches the crew get two of the tentacles cut off from the ship and the Kingfisher begins to move back from


its listing angle the creature was causing. Trip is grabbed and lifted up from the deck. His arms pinned to his sides, stopping him from bringing his pearl-handled daggers into play.

The third confining tentacle in hacked away from the railing thanks to Merrilee’s magic sword.

Las turns at the last moment to see Trip carried off the ship and into the heaving sea.


Mage
Part 6
Posted by David

Horrified that the harmless kender is about to be lost, Las hurries to the railing nearest Trip. She raises her wand, and calls forth the words to evoke Ice Bolt. "Trae daan, Zu falinoth Crystallae!" Aiming at the tentacle holding the wriggling kender.


Miss
Part 7
Posted by the DM

The Giant Squid draws back from the ship, still grasping the Kender. Your Ice Bolt did not fire fast enough to hit the tentacle.

Call to action
Part 8
Posted by David

Marrilee heard Las's cry, and saw her sister throw her spell...and miss.

"Avros!" She cries, desperately looking for her mount, hoping she's not too late to save the Kender.




Saving Trip
Part 9
By the DM

Marrilee looks wildly around but her griffon is too far away up above. Mik runs past Lee, and to the rail beside Las. The black water is torrid with activity, as the Mariner makes sure his necklace is secured and then takes off his knee-high boots. He steals a kiss on the cheek from the surprised Mage and then he dives down into the pounding sea.

The storm lashes Mik’s body and tries to rip his dagger from him. Mik pull his dagger and bites down on it with his teeth.

The magic necklace activates and turns the water to air for Mik to breath.

He spots the struggling Trippleknot and swims towards the monster-held Kender.

The Kingfisher rides the twelve-foot waves and has Marrilee grabbing for the railing next to her sister. No sign of them. The sailors are getting the shit under control and sighing of relief that the monster did not drag the ship down, but they wait anxiously not saying a word to not tempt the sea monster to come back.


Mik dives into the ocean to save Trip

[Dungeon Master]

ƒ±ƒnƒ¾ƒÕƒçƒnƒ´ƒÑƒé
Part 11
By the DM


For ten minutes the two are gone, with no obvious signs of the captain or the wayward kender. The storm rages all around you and finally they surface. Out of breath and gasping, they are thrown a line and they catch on and are pulled onto the ship in the middle of a thundering storm and giant waves.

All of you work to survive and save the ship until you are past the point of exhaustion and then you wake to a new day, the sky is blue and little wave activity.

The Griffons land and they too are tired and only want to sleep, they go down into the hold and sleep until Tenth Watch* before they get restless and hungry.


*Tenth Watch is 4:00pm

The day for you is the best day you have ever had on the ocean. Just incredible, and warm too. Mik walks up to you both and says ¡§thank you for your hard work last night, the crew respect what you did, even though many of them are starting to have seconded thoughts, but we are now back on course and making repairs. The wind should pick up again soon. I want to invite you to be my guests at diner tonight. I¡¦ll warn you though, I invited Trip earlier.¡¨
The captain jumps in for a swim and cleans off.

Trip walks up to the twins. ¡§Thank you for trying to save me, it was sleek when you whipped out that wand, thanks.¡¨


Part 12
By Dave





A Beautiful day at sea
Part 13
By DM

¡§Naw, ya¡¦ missed me completely, its all good.¡¨ Trip says good-naturedly. ¡§I¡¦m of my ladies and I¡¦ll see you at dinner.¡¨ Trip heads off and looks at the charts, and then heads off seeing whatever¡¦s to be seen.

DM: How do you spend the day, and what do you wear to dinner in the Captain¡¦s Quarter in the aft castle?



The Twins
Part 14
By David


The twins spend the beautiful day on Main deck, each taking a turn at an aerial patrol.

While on the main deck Merrilee practices with her weapons, drawing a crowd from some of the off-duty sailors. They watch first with amusement and contempt, to approval, to near-awe. Trained by the two greatest Swordsmen of their generations, she is determined to earn that rank and is well on her way.

In the meanwhile, Las has drawn another crowd of sailors - not all of them off-duty. Clad in an outrageous looking drow-made swimming suit. Black, made of some kind of animal skin, it covers everything it should, but has large oval cutouts front and back, revealing her taut abdomen, and supple back. Las decided to work on her tan, and laid out on the decking on the bow.

That night, Merrilee wears a tan loose-fitting jerkin and trousers. Las wears a light, emerald green robe.



Dinner with the Captain
Part 15
By DM


The Kender Tripleknot Spellcracker opens the door for the ladies when they arrive to Captain Mik Varadan¡¦s quarters. Trip is dressed kenderish in and black pants with a blue and white striped shirt with a sea green vest-like harness. His pearl handled daggers are exposed as they hang from the harness.

Then there¡¦s Mik. He smells as good as he looks, which is just fine. Mik has sea blue eyes with long black hair that is pulled back in a ponytail. He is dressed in a loose white shirt that is open just enough to be sexy though it does not look foolish with him wearing it. Large black pants that is drawn together with a rope belt, knee high boots, all together a sensual specimen of the mariner class.


The captain¡¦s quarters is small but not confining. You can see that he strings up two Hammocks in tandem along the wall with the rear window where the kender and Mik sleep. He has a few paintings up and a few statues. He looks to have wealth, but it is not flaunted. Candles light the room, and you are invited to have a seat when the Ship¡¦s cook comes in with a bottle of North Keep Red wine dated 9 s.c.

He pours a round of glasses and the leaves.

¡§Thank you for coming, I thought we would do this and forget for a little while. The storm was rough and you handled yourselves pretty well. How¡¦s your griffon holding up?¡¨

The chef returns to bring in the appetizers and places them before you Black Tiger Shrimp and steamed Oysters.




The First Course
Part 16
By David

"They are both well. Having such a beautiful day today allowed them to calm down, and they are both now in good spirits." Merrilee says with a smile. "As are we. I was glad for the chance to work the Forms, it always centers me. I was blessed with two very amazing Swordmasters as teachers, and I was trained to run through my drills as a way of focusing."

"I know I was glad for the chance to get some sun!" Las says with a roguish grin "I don't think your sailors minded too much, either." Las tries to stop smiling and look contrite "Not to worry, Captain, I won't do it again for I didn't intend to tease them." A faint blush rises in her cheeks "Well at least, not as much as I did." She catches Merrilee's look "It was just such a gorgeous day, I just had to!"




The Main Course
Part 17
By DM


¡§Oh that¡¦s okay Lady Las, I didn¡¦t mind one bit. You are rather beautiful.¡¨ Trip says happily, oblivious to everything except his steamed oysters.

¡§Ahem, well then.¡¨ Mik laughs into his hand and leans back from the table. Regaining control he says, ¡§Well I would appreciate that Miss, the crew would probably appreciate that too. I don¡¦t think you need to worry as you are a spellcaster, and your twin in my own humble opinion is one of the finest blades I have ever witnessed. No sense in torturing them though aye?¡¨

Chef brings out Palanthus Lobster, Blue Crab and Grouper out to the table and takes the discarded plates from the previous helping.

The 9th s.c. North Keep wine is working on all of you and soon, Trip is knocked out under the table. The Captain relates to you some his adventures and you do the same. Eyes flash at each other during dinner, and both can tell that the Captain finds you both attractive, but he makes no move to act on those impulses.




After Dinner
Part 18
By David

As Mik's tales often involve fights and chases, Merrilee is naturally drawn more into the conversation. Las notices her twin's growing attraction, and smiles to herself.

"Well, it seems like you are getting pretty interested in our Captain" Las thinks to her sister

"Well, he is gorgeous. Don't tell me you don't think so."

I didn't say that! But it's obvious you two have more in common than he and I do. I'll just make an excuse, and leave you two to...talk."


Las stands, and stretches. "I'm sorry, Mik." She yawns "I guess all that sun, and the wine, has made me really sleepy." She smiles at him and Merrilee "I think I'll turn in. See you both tomorrow." She leaves the Captain's quarters.


Dessert
Part 19
By the DM

Las walks along the railing of the main deck and smiles to her self. She wonders how far it will go between the Captain and her sister.

Back in The Captain¡¦s quarters, dessert has been served. Strawberry shortcake with whipped topping that Lee can tell was made from powdered milk. Ah, life on the open sea . . .

Mik is not egotistical. He is honest when he says luck has a lot to do with his escapes from near death. He describes how he hooked up with Trip, and tale or two of his treasure hauls. He listens to your tales of adventuring, and reacts in all the right places as you climax to the chilling conclusions of your stories. You find you and he has gotten closer as the night has progressed. With Las gone, the Kender out of it for the night, and the wine working on both of you, and Mik just being so sexy in his knee high boots and swashbuckler . . . come fuck me . . . shirt, damn, its getting hot in here.


Night of Passion
Part 20
By David

Merrilee and Mik wound up sitting next to each other finishing off their dessert, and Mik was in the middle of another rather humorous story concerning Trip and a female half-ogre, when Merrilee made up her mind.

She leaned against his side, and when he turned to her, she kissed him fully, sliding her tongue over and past his lips. He seemed surprised, but only for a moment. Then he was kissing her back, his lips parted and tongue pushing past her lips, intertwining with her own pointed tongue. She slid her hand over his tight shirt, feeling the powerful muscles underneath. The thrill of their combined passion overcame her, and she let herself go. She could remember his hands on her naked breasts, and smooth feel of his hardened arousal in her hand, but not much more as her own arousal spiraled higher and higher.

Then, after, lying nestled in his arms under the cool sheets of his bunk. Sated and feeling languid, she drifted off to sleep.


Flotsam
Part 21
By the DM

Mik lies back and marvels. Oh my goddess. Damn. I cannot believe that happened but damn was that good.

Mik looks over to see the sleeping angel beside him. In truth, Merrilee usually wakes long before this time of the morning, but today its different. No harm in letting the day go, this time. She smiles.

¡§Captain on the deck!!¡¨ comes from the main deck.

Mik sits stright up and swings his legs over to the side of the bed and he pulls on his pants and boots. Merrilee¡¦s reflexes are among the best, but she does not want to sit up, but she does. Mik grabs his swashbuckler shirt and lays back down on the bed and kisses Merrilee deeply, then he gets up and puts on his shirt and grabs his rapier and heads out on to the Main Deck.

Las heard the Kender call the captain too, but she didn¡¦t want to get up either, but something makes her think she may be needed topside.

¡§What do ya¡¦ got for me Trip¡¨ Captain Varadan says up to the Kender in the crows nest.


¡§Ship debris, on the port side captain.¡¨ Trip says way too cheerfully for all the alcohol he consumed last night. That¡¦s Kender for you.

First officer Jarak Winn comes the Captain¡¦s side and reports further in a lowered voice, ¡§Trip says there¡¦s a body on a piece of flotsam, want us to take a look?¡¨

¡§Trip, is it moving?¡¨ Mik asks.

¡§Just moved Captain.¡¨ Coming from the crow¡¦s nest.

¡§Take us over there Jarak, lets see what we¡¦ve got.¡¨

And with that the Kingfisher heads northeast.


The Morning After
Part 22
By David

Las overhears the exchange between the Captain and Trip, and heads down to the hold to ready her griffin for flight. Moments later she is out of the hold and in the air flying to the feebly moving form in the water.


Castaway
Part 23
By the DM

There is some questioning among the crew as to lower the captain¡¦s boat to retrieve this castaway, but Mik back them all down and order them to lower his craft. Trip jumps into the craft, the ship¡¦s mystic follows the wound up kender, and in climbs the captain himself.

He looks into the eyes of his first officer, and nods. Jarak Winn grips his sword and stands back and watches the crew for any sign of mutiny.


Las, you are in the sky, and gaining on the flotsam for a fly by. It is a sea elf tied down on a piece of a raft. She is badly sunburned, and you aren¡¦t even sure if she is alive. The Launch is now in the water and on it¡¦s way.

There doesn¡¦t seem to be a chance that it could support your Griffin¡¦s weight nor yours.

[Dungeon Master]

Watching out
Part 24
By David

Las continues to circle the Sea Elf, watching the surrounding waters for any danger as the boat makes its way to the bedraggled elf.


Omens?
Part 25
By the DM

Light Rider is lowered into the water, with Mik, Trip and some of the crew rowing out to the raft.

Merrilee, you are keeping an eye on the launch from the bridge, and keeping an eye on the crew is starting to act edgy.

They get up near by the raft, and Trip scampers over to the raft.

“She’s tied to the raft. I don’t think she could have done herself.” Trip says.

The crew mumbles.

“Cut her loose Trip, help her get over here.” The captain says.

She is brought onboard the launch, which then they proceed to bring her back to the ship. The body is covered up, and they give her drinking water. The launch is brought back on board and some of the crew helps lift her from the ship. The other ones are saying, “ She was tied onto that raft to die up there, when she could be swimming. Somebody wanted to torture it to death.”

“There was a storm the other night, maybe she is a survivor in a accident there.”

“As the Kender said, she was tied down tight. Somebody did it, she’s a curse to be brought on. She’s from some doomed ship, and we will take on that doom.”

“Grow up.” the Captain says. “Trip, Jarak, help me get her to my cabin.

The First Officer and the ship’s mate carry her inside.

“Jarak, take command while I and the other see to her, send in the doc.”

“Aye Sir,” He moves away to the Bridge and gets everyone moving again and setting a course, North, best speed.”

The Captain on the main deck looks up to your eyes Merrilee on the bridge, and he says “Good Morning, I will see you soon.”

Lashia you watch this entire event unfold, then decide what to do now.

Soon Lashia and Merrilee enter into the Cabin and see that a Sea Elf is badly sunburned, but alive. Mik just tried to hydrate her, and cover the elf with aloe healing balm. Mik gets up and says, “I thank you for coming in, I checked her out, she’s going to make it. I was hoping you could do a better job then I.”


Healing
Part 26
By David

"Yes, we may be able to help her." Merrilee says "I spent some time among her people, and I managed to learn a bit of their language*, and Las knows quite a bit about herbs and medicines."

Merrilee kneels next to the cot the sea elf is laying on. "Greetings" She says slowly, dredging to mind her distant cousin's language. "I am Merrilithana Arbagon, the sorceress is my twin; Lasanathus. If you will allow, she will tend to your injuries." Las pulls a modest bag from her over her shoulder, and begins muttering to herself as she pulls various sized pouches filled with herbs.

"In the meantime, I wonder if I could ask you a couple of questions. What happened to you? Why where you tied to that raft?"



Sea Elf
Part 27
By the DM

“Where am I?” she asks meekly.

On board the Kingfisher. I’m the 1st mate, Trippleknot Shellcracker, but my friends call me Trip. You’re safe now. What’s your name?”

“Ula, I come from many paces. Most recently, from a ship called the Golden Harvest.”

“Was it shipwrecked?” Trip asks brightly with interest.

“Not shipwrecked,” She coughs, “My shipmates grew tired . . . of my company.”






Questions
Part 28
By David

"Tired of your company?" Merrilee asks, her voice incredulous "So they strapped you to a raft, knowing you'd die?" She glowers "What race were the crew, and do you remember the Captain's name?"

Merrilee shares a thought with her twin "I'd like to find the 'Golden Harvest', and have a little 'chat' with these assholes."



More Questions then Answers . . .
Part 29
By The DM


“It doesn’t matter really anymore. They tied me to the raft to appease the dragon Tempest who frequents the waters around here. It didn’t work. The crew was a superstitious lot, they thought I was leading the Dragon to them.”

“Was you?” Trip asks hopefully, as only a kender would.

Ula says nothing, only shakes her head wearily no.




Asking the Captain
Part 30
By David

Merrilee cocks her head at the unfamiliar name. She looks at Mik "Dragon Tempest? Do you know what she's referring to?"













Tempest, the Great and terrible

Part 31
By the DM


“I’m afraid I don’t” The mariner replies with a concerned look on his face.

Ula looks up again at people and says, “ Not a Dragon Tempest, Her name is Tempest. She’s a Sea Dragon, a most vile one at that. It is said she has taken to drain the other Sea Dragons of their life like the land Dragon Overlords.”

She lays her head down again and you all realize she just nearly had a life threatening experience. With some rest and thanks to the healing poultices you gave her, she will pull thru.


Oh Shit!
Part 32
By the DM

Marrilee looks at Ula then looks back at Mik, her face blanched. "A dragon Overlord of the Seas?!" She motions to Mik, and the two of them step out of the room. "This isn't good, Mik." She begins to pace in the tight quarters "We're going to need to talk, to plan." She stops pacing, staring Mik in the eye "This evening, at dinner. You, Trip, Me and Las".




Damn Kender!!!!
Part 33
By the DM

“That sounds fine, but lets just keep this-”

“It was really mean what her last crew did to her in tying her up to that raft to appease a dragon.” Trip burbles out a little too loudly.

All around them, the crew stoops working.

Mik shoots the kender an angry glance. “Just superstitious nonsense.”

“But how can you be sure?” Marlian asked wearily.

“Because she’s still alive.” The Captain responds confidently. “ We have a day ahead of us and then we will check our position with the stars when they come up. I have a course to plot and you have stations to be at. Back to work.” Mik says loudly.

Mik grabs Trip’s ear and gives a “why me” look to Marilee and Las and leads Trip into the Map room for a little talk.



Uh-oh!
Part 34
By David

Marrilee and Las both seem lost in thought, as the crew go back to work. In truth, thoughts are precisely where the twins can be found.

"A Dragon Overlord of the Seas, Las!" Merrilee thinks, the desperation she feels - no where to be found on her face, her body language, even her voice - comes through clearly to her sister in her thoughts.

"I know, Sis, I know." Las's thoughts are as anxious as her twin's "And just for the record, if Aunties Analis and Karnea can't go up against an Overlord, I hope you'll understand when I say I'd be about as effective against this 'Tempest' as a drop of water against a forest fire."

"If 'Tempest' shows up...We're dead."








The Way
Part 35
By the DM

The meeting goes on for 30 minutes. Mik, Marilee, Las, Trip, The first officer Jarak Winn and the two other mages on board, Ancilla Vanesti and Parn of Solamnia all gather in the Rear Castle away from the ears and eyes of the on edge crew.

It is agreed that little can be done against an attacking Sea Dragon, especially one that might be feeding on others of her race, but that does not mean that those here in the meeting are going to give up without a fight. Watch men will take shifts on the rails, looking for any signs of hostiles. The mages say they will ready what spells they can to use against the Dragon, though it is known to all that the magic is slipping away. The futility of their situation leads Mik to call the meeting to a close, seeing no point in staring at each other around a table, thinking of the end.

“We are near where we are supposed to be. In the next few days, we will know if the Islands are there and if not, we will turn around and head home. This isn’t a mission to the death.”

The door opens and from the darkened deck, a voice says, “I know the way, I can get you to the Dragon Isles, but you are going the wrong way.”

“Ula?” Trip asks in amazement.


More Questions
Part 36
By David

"Ula," Marrilee says "Please, come in and sit. Join us at our table." After the Sea Elf sits, she says "Have you been to the Dragon Isles before?"





The Key and the Map
Part 37
By the DM

“Yes, as a child. The path you have been taking is from the old map takes you where they are supposed to be, but you have to understand, powerful magic shields the Dragon isles and makes the Isles elude searchers. I heard the kender mention something of a key, may I see it?”

Mik looks at the kender again and pulls forth a onyx box-like key.

“That is one of the sacred keys, none are found anymore. It used to let selected mariners open the doorway into the magical land surrounding the isles.”

Ula holds her hand out, and after a few seconds, Mik places the key in Ula’s hand.

Ula places the Key on end over a the map of near where the ship is headed. The key moves to the right several spaces.

“The Isles has spotted on the path me are on.” Mik says.

There is a final piece of this puzzle, but I can only divulge that if I get a cut of the treasure.


Mik says he will think about it.

[Dungeon Master]

Voyage to the Dragon Isles

Day 42
Spring Dawning

There is a strange beauty to the predators that have been swimming around the ship. More then a hundred sharks has appeared on port and starboard around the Kingfisher.

The storm is catching up.

We are doing up to Thirty Knots, and you get the thought in your head that you better release the Griffons before the storm hits.


Chapter 2
by David







White Caps
Chapter 3
By DM

The crew goes about its own duties, while some help you get the Griffons out of the hold and on deck.

They take off, and soar in the sky, slightly disorientated.

Over the next couple of hours, there what seems to be a thousand sharks, out and around the ship, Hundreds at least.


The wind has picked up to 38 knots and the waves are getting bigger.

Dark Clouds appear all around the sky.

Waves of Fear ripples over the crew as some mammoth goes under the ship.

The Crew is catatonic.

The Twins look at each other, then to the Captain.

“I feel it.” Mik says as he holds tight the wheel of the ship.

Oh-oh!!!!
Chapter 4
By David

Las looks at Merrilee, and they both have the same thought "Tempest!"

Being twins have given Merrilee and Las gifts, which manifest in different ways. Merrilee's natural strength of will helped to steady both girls to fight against the effects of the Dragonfear, and Las's analytical mind helped them to think clearly. Desperately they tried to think how to combat the Great Wrym.


Unfortunately, neither could think... of anything.




Tempest
Chapter 5
By the DM

Tempest explodes from the breakers like a blue green mountain. Boiling steam erupts from her massive jaws; her yellow eyes shine amidst the fury of the oncoming storm.

Hatred of the Dragon Isles and all those to them burned her black heart. She would make sure that she could not make it to archipelago, no one would.

The sea cascaded away from Tempest in huge waves. The sudden torrent crashed against the Kingfisher, threatening to the ship on its side.

High on the mast, Trip clung desperately to the rigging. Sharks and Turbidus leeches as thick as a man’s arm sped in a maelstrom circle around the tottering Caravel.

The crew working Kingfisher’s deck toppled when the waves hit and screamed as the Dragonfear swept over them. Mik hung on to the Tiller, but the backwash from the waves carried Ula toward the rail. Mik stabbed his hand out, but Ula slipped away from him.

Las and Marilee see all of this from amidships on the port side. Tempest is at the bow on starboard side.

You see Ula falling Starboard, near the captain at the tiller.

A wave hits and a wave comes over top of the side and catches you, scaring you a bit. You are both cut on your arms and legs from razorfish in the wave.

Ancilla, Parn, and Marlian freeze as the dragon rises from the sea in front of them. A breaker hits the bow. They are caught up in Rigging.

Old Poul is amidships when the wave hits. Lee, you and Las see the wave take his body and you see a crewmember go to save him. He holds on as Old Poul is dangling over the side. In the next terrifying moments, the crewmember stands turns around with old Poul’s arms. A Shark took the rest.

His face covered in blood.













The Flying Kender
Chapter 7
By the DM


Trip clasps his fingers tight around the robe atop the masthead. Trip watches in fascination as the dragon dived past the ship on the Port side. Several deckhands jump off the ship with terrifying frenzy.

What Trip felt was thrill.

Trip had never seen a Dragon before and was determined not to miss a moment of the experience, even if it killed him.

Lighting flashed and almost struck the mast. As quickly as he could, Trip scrambled down the rigging.

Another Dragon-spawned waves strike the Kingfisher’s side. The Boat pitches wildly, and trip realizes he has only a fingertip attached to a very wet rope in the pouring rain.

“Whee!!!” he squealed. The feeling of soaring unfettered thru the air as his hand slipped free of the rope was a feeling that Trip knew he would always remember-for the rest of his life-knowing this is probably it.

Trip could see Mik, the twins and the crew of the ship; he smiled as he contemplated whether he would hit the sea or hit the deck? Will it hurt?

Elsewhere the merchant traveler aboard the ship is telling her bodyguard to lower the boats. He bodyguard says, “And to where would you like to go in this mess?!”


Mik yells “Belay that you fools!” But the crew does not listen.

Marilee and Las know this situation is bad. One of the many perils you come across when there is little you can do against this threat, but you are not exactly giving up when Lee looks up and sees Trip heading right for you.

Las you hear, “Kender can fly?

BASH!

Into the starboard railing and almost going over.

The Dragon goes below water.


The Last Voyage of the Kingfisher
Chapter 8
By the DM

Ula says, “Kender can fly?

Tripp answers, “I wish.”

Las smiles bleakly as she helps Marilee and Tripp backs onto the ship before the Dragon comes back up and finishes the job.


Mik comes over and helps everyone up. “Hold on to this.” Mik hands Tripp the map to the Isles.

“Aye aye captain my captain.”

Mik moves to the wheel. “Have to get her in the wind or we are all dead.” Ula gets up to help him and the twins and Tripp move closer together and dread the impending doom that is coming.


Large waves upend the crew and our heroes as the Dragon surges forth from the ocean. Lighting crashes and the ship’s Bowsprit splits in two.

Tempest leaps to the air and her snout snaps the main mast. Rigging flies everywhere, sometimes crushing the heads of some poor crewman. The dragon crashes onto the bow. The Kingfisher heaves forward and everyone flies thru the air.

Ula is thrown away from the ship. Mik tries to hold onto her but slides thru his fingers.

The kender looses his grip on Las’s robes and Marilee and Las is pulled away from each other.

Las and Lee is thrown overboard as a mass rigging and mangled sails falls upon Tripp and Mik trapping them near the tiller.

Tempest whips her head around, eating crewmembers that are thrown her way.

Ula catches herself on the railing and seizes a boathook and shouts a defiant curse and throws the boathook like a spear at the dragon.

It strikes Tempest’s eyelid and angers her.

She roars in surprise.

Tempest rears up from the sea and crashes again upon the Kingfisher, smashing it to the sea.

Thunder booms in your ears underwater Las and Lee.

Turbidus leaches rush towards you and leaches onto your exposed flesh.

Sharks head your way and Marilee pulls her swords.

[Dungeon Master]

Bale and Bane
Chapter 9
By David

A word about Merrilee’s Swords

Bale: This elven long sword has a swept-bar guard, and the blade is magically etched with elven-sorcery runes. Set into the sword, at the cross of blade and guard, is a 10,000 Stl (GP), flawless ruby. When servants of Evil and Chaos are near, the ruby will glow, the strength of the light will increase in correlation to the minion’s strength and proximity to Bale’s wielder. If the creature is both chaotic and evil, crimson fires will envelope the blade.

Bane: This elven Long knife is the companion to Bale, and has the same style hilt, guard, and pommel. Magically etched elven runes also decorate the blade, and at the cross of Bane’s guard and blade is set a 10,000 Stl (GP) Sapphire. When servants of Evil and Chaos are near, the sapphire will glow, the strength of the light will increase in correlation to the minion’s strength and proximity to Bale’s wielder. If the creature is both chaotic and evil, azure fires will envelope the blade.

Nuts and Bolts of the blades: Bale and Bane gain bonuses to attack and damage, depending on the Target’s alignment. For Bale, the bonuses are: +2 vs. LE, +4 vs. NE, and +6 vs. CE. For Bane, the Bonuses are: +1 vs. LE, +2 vs. NE, and +3 vs. CE.

Merrilee pulls Bale from it's scabbard and swims to intercept Tempest as She passes. Magical crimson fire flows over Bale, and Merrilee strikes Tempest's side.

The blow is meant to distract rather than injure, but Bale's fire scores an angry black mark on Tempest's scales nonetheless. Tempest roars in fury and lashes out. Simple luck saves Merrilee from almost certain death as Tempest's talons split the water a mere four feet below her. Even so the current created by the Overlord's limb passing beneath her drags Merrilee back and away from the Dragon.

Then she sees a shark swimming straight for her. She twists somewhat awkwardly and grips Bale with both hands, the point positioned straight out from her body.

In it's bloodlust frenzy, the shark is unmindful of the magical fire brought to life by Tempest's presence, and it lunges for it's would-be prey. Merrilee rams the sword into the soft palette of the shark’s mouth. It immediately pulls away, and Merrilee almost loses her grip on Bale. The dying shark swims feebly away from her, and drawing it's own frenzied cousins upon it.

Merrilee takes a moment to look around and take a quick stock of her situation. She looks for any other current survivors, and also casts a quick eye for her griffon.




Blood in the Water
Chapter 10
By the DM


The Kingfisher falls beneath the waves to it’s doom in the depths. Mik Vardan knows he is about to die. He can barley make out the Captain’s Cabin and knew at once he had to make it inside.

Next to the copy of the Prophesy, a fish necklace with magical properties. Mik can hold his breath for a long time, but he also knows he will not make it thru this ordeal without his trusty necklace. Mik is tangled in the rigging lines, unable to get free. Struggling, he gets loose his dagger and starts to the cut the ropes that hold him at bay. To get free though… his ship, his crew probably all dead … Marilee… so what’s the point now? Parmak’s last reading was forty fathoms deep, what’s the use of fighting off sharks just to drown afterwards?

Perhaps he should die too…

A Shark moves in and in a fleeting moment, the guilt is cast away.
I Will Not Die Here!! Fish food for some predator!!!!

The Shark homed in on its prey. Mik was so tangled, it afforded him with hardly any wiggle room. The blue and gray color on the shark showed it to be a mangler shark, bane of shipwrecked sailors. It’s jaws opened wide as it swam in for the attack.

Mik ducked to one side as the mangler came in, and stabbed up with his knife. The shark missed Mik’s face by inches, it’s teeth ripping thru the swirling canvas just beside his right cheek. The Captain’s knife hits home and opened a small gash on the mangler’s belly.

The fish jerked from side to side, almost taking Mik’s knife with it. It turned around slowly and headed back at the Captain’s gut. Mik knew he was a goner. The mangler trailed dark blood into the sea from it’s wound and Mik braced for death.

Just before the shark struck, a dark shadow deceded upon the mangler and the two grappled.

Mik would have screamed for joy if he was able to as Trip came into view with daggers stabbing and dark blood entering the brine.

The wounded mangler limps off and Trip swims to his Captain and began to cut the lines and ropes away to free Mik.

Mik wondered how the Kender could be breathing. Trip reached into a pouch and produced a clump of seaweed and stuffed it into the mouth of a surprised Mik.

Mik was wondering what the hell this was all about and motioned for the Kender to surface. Kender shook his head no, then says, “It’s magical seaweed.”

And so it was.

Mik could breath and after gaining precious breath, he asked the Kender where it came from?

“Well, you know that weird Dark elf, I kinda accidentally borrowed it from her.”

“Sure hope she didn’t need it.” The Captain said wearily.

And sure enough, nearby Ancilla reaches into her pouch for her magical seaweed to breath and finds only a used handkerchief with Trip’s initials on the corner. She curses Kender-kind bitterly and looks around. Sharks, razor fish and the Dragon is still all around. She swims for the surface but never makes it.


On the Surface, Marilee fights for her and her sister’s life. Sharks circle then move in. Survivors all around from the ship are eaten alive and scream and moan for the last pathetic seconds they have left.

Las sees Parn thru the Flotsam, he is hanging onto a piece of the ship. She looks to the sky as well, looking for their mounts. They come as lighting herald their arrival. The Dragon surfaces and lunges at the Griffons as they come in. The Griffons circle and in turn the Dragon. The wake from the dragon throws the survivors away. The mighty waves obscure the sight of what is happening next, but super hot steam rushes into the air and you no longer see the Griffons flying.

The both of you can feel that your Griffons are not dead, but where are they? And what of the others? The storm continues to rage all around them

Below,

Just before the ship settles 40 fathoms down to the silt. Trip frees Mik. The Captain hugged his little friend and then says, “We have to find my cabin.”

The magical seaweed was indeed helpful as it allowed the pair to see in the dark depths and save them from the crushing forces of the deep and it even kept the brine from stinging their eyes though it allowed only minimal ability to bubble words out.

After a short time, the pair was able to find the wreak of the Kingfisher and quickly swam for the cabin. The contents floated in a jumble and to move into the room, Mik say everything that he had collected in his life now helplessly lost forever. The search for Mik’s chest took longer then either of them had hoped but once found, the Captain opened the chest and retrieved his needed belongings. He found his Fish necklace charm and spit the seaweed out and gave it back to Trip, saying “Thank you.” And the Kender putting the wad into one of the many pouches of his lizard skin vest.

The Necklace bestowed underwater breathing ability on Mik and he looked for the Prophesy, but it was ruined. Cursing, he found the dark Diamond artifact that had led them to this point, hoping it would see them the rest of the way to the Isles. The two left to get to the surface, to see if anyone else was ass lucky. Mik preyed to the missing gods that the sisters were alive and well, but secretly knew there was little chance.

They heard dark laughter ring thru the sea.

Piercing pain shot thru Las and Marilee as they felt fire rip thru their veins. What the Hell ?!!!!!

Dark shapes swam below, circling, waiting for the drugs to run their course thru their victims.

Marilee swipes out at her attackers and Las feels her legs with her hands until she can find darts sticking in her legs. She grows numb and lethargic and feels herself drifting under the water.

Marilee is the last to go under. Cursing bitterly, she feels her blades slip from his finders and lose all ability to feel her body.

The survivors black out as a net settles around them and they are pulled into the depths.


Mik and Trip are struck from behind with black prickly darts that render them inert within minutes. Mik tries to draw his cutlass but fails to pull it from its scabbard. A heavy weighted net closes around the pair and they are pulled away as booty.


Scavengers
Chapter 11
By the DM

Everyone awakes later in the journey under the sea, still enclosed in netting. Everyone instinctively reaches for their blades to cut themselves free, but finds they have been ransacked by what might as well been marauding kender, nothing left but the clothes on their backs, minus the boots on their feet.

They struggle to look around. Marilee and Las can see that Parn is with them as several other shipmates consisting of four are along for the ride as well.

It seem that pale blue humanoids are pulling the nets behind them. Sea Elves, just like Ula. But where is she?

From the dark blue comes another group with nets behind them. Sea Elves and a strange Knight clad in bronze armor. Very strange indeed for he seems not to be elven but unclear as to what race he is, perhaps Merman, or another unknown race.

Mik and Trip is in the Net behind the. Once they see you, they are elated. You share their joy, though how are you going to get out of this. You should be dead being under water this long, but it seems the only excuse is the netting is protecting you from drowning. Not much comfort.

Over the journey, communication is attempted. You are told you are being taken to Reeftown. Trip notes that he has never been to a underwater Sea Elf town before.

You find out one of the girl Sea Elves is named Lakuda, and she is a real sympathetic joyless bitch. She then informs everyone as to what will happen next. They will be sold as slaves. Everyone will fetch a good price, everyone but the kender, whom resent this bit of news. “I have worth.” You hear Trip say. “I don’t think I want to see Reeftown now.”

“We’re not scuttled yet partner, I promise you that.” Mik answers in a low voice.

The Knight is called Shimmer and though his voice is raspy and rough, he seems to honorable, which seems to be a contradiction as he is with this Scavenger pod. How much honor can he have?


“The City!! Look!!” Trip says.

Ahead of them, the ocean shimmered blue with flickering iridescent light. With a glow of amazing conglomeration architecture rises from the sea floor. Houses formed from coral, seaweed and broken shipwrecks dot the new landscape. The jumbled village reaches to the unseen surface.

Mountainous reefs stretch around the canyon in a horseshoe wall forming a natural bowl protecting the strange village. Sea elf guards swim forth from a tangled mesh of seaweed and meet the scavenger pods upon their return.

Sea elves, fish, rays and many aquatic creatures that Mik and the others have never known before existed, darts throughout the hidden cove.

“It’s beautiful.” Trip says in awe.

[Dungeon Master]

Reeftown
Chapter 12
By the DM


“… Yes, beautiful.” Mik murmurs.

The pods move toward the giant fronds that form a living barrier that sways with the current. Only two Dargonesti sentries guard the entrance.

“Rather flimsy-looking defenses.” Trip bubbles.

“Say that after the weeds snapped your neck, crushed you, and leaves you are shark food.” Shimmer replies.

“Test it if you like.” Lakuda adds.

Trip might have tried it, if not tethered to Mik. As it was, Trip’s hazel eyes scanned the perimeter, hoping someone else might get to make a break for it.

The Pods reach a coral gate and a lance-wielding sentry in turtle shell armor steps up to meet the elves.

“Greeting honored Townboss Lakuda.”

Another one says, “I trust your forage was successful?” this one a female carrying a trident.

“Yes, yes.” The Townboss answers as she waves them to part.

They do so adding, “we sent the other Pods on to your villa, it looks like a good haul this time Lady Boss.”


Close up, the city was not so pretty, more like a sorry state of construction, yet the town pulses with life. Certainly none of these elves have the proud grace that Ula exhibited nor did any of these Sea Elves show the vigor or confidence of Lakuda, or the power and strength of Shimmer.


The nets are taken to a strange looking tower that juts at a strange angle from the coral. Passing many armed guards. Thru a solid gold door and into a throne room where Lakuda swims to her throne and settles in.

“Take the prisoners to the holding cells Shimanloeth, until I have determined their worth.”

“Yes Lady Lakuda. The mighty sea Knight answers and then corrals the nets behind him as he pulls the prisoners thru the tower structure into a large coral tube past several side passages and into a room half filled with water.

Shimmer deposits the nets on the ground and says “there is living quarters in the next room that affords you a nice view of the city. You will be fed and you will not be mistreated, but do not attempt to escape or you will be killed.”

“What kind of name is Shimanloeth anyway? Solamnic? I never heard of a underwater Knight before. Doesn’t your armor well, rust? How do you breath? Wait, I know your armor is magical isn’t it? Trip wanted to ask more but-

“Hold your tongue kender.” The bronze knight’s orangish eyes narrow behind his visor.

“I will return. Stay out of trouble and you may just see your homes again…some day.” With that, the knight leaves and the door is looked. The nets unwrap around you and you are freed to swim to the surface of the room.

When you get to the surface, you hear people talking. The voices are familiar? Trip runs to the next room.

“Ula!!!” Trip says.

Another voice… “Is that the Kender, hold him, I’m going to kill him.” Ancilla.

Stripped
Chapter 13
By David

Las intercepts Ancilla on her way to murder the Kender.

"So," Marrilee says "What now? They took my blades, and Las's spell components." She looks at Mik, Trip, and Ula "Any ideas?"




The Dragon’s Rage
Chapter 14
By the DM


Mog crouches behind a screen of weeds and watches the amazing sights of Reeftown.
Being part dragon himself, the Sea Dragonspawn is intoxicated by the sights and smells of the Sea Elf village.

Mog stayed out of view of the Dargonesti guards, not because he feared them, he could in fact rend them limb from limb with little effort at all. No, Mog had to stay out of sight long enough to accomplish his mission or face Tempest’s Wrath, a fate worse then death. Mog could feel the Dragon in the back of his mind. On Mog’s back was a Turbidius leach. It burned when Tempest was angry and sent thrills down his spine when she was pleased. Therefore, Mog exhibited the same emotional state as his mistress.

Tempest had been angry for months, not having the ability to pierce the veil of the Dragon Isles, while watching ships go cross where she could not go.

Trailing the shipwreck survivors was not a simple task as the Magic of the Isles confused the senses. How could these fleshy mortals cross the veil and the great and terrible Tempest, the queen of the seas, could not. Mog was to find out why.


Allies and Adversaries
Chapter 14
By the DM

Mik smiles at seeing a few familiar faces. His eyes travel over the survivors, staying for a moment on Marilee, meeting her eyes, “It’s good to see all of you.”

“And you, Captain.” Ula says.

“Me too.” Says Trip. “Hope you aren’t too mad about the seaweed Ancilla. I just barrowed it for while and-”

“The Seaweed!” Ancilla nearly shrieked. “The ship is gone, all the crew dead, captured, stripped of our belongings to be sold as slaves!!!” Ancilla was exasperated. They were doomed.

Trip lowered his eyes and dug his toe into the coral floor of the room. “Its not like its all my fault or anything.” Trip said in a little voice.

“I hadn’t connected it before now, but our woes did not begin until we took you on board.” The Black Robe puts forth.

“What’s that supposed to mean? I wanted your ship to be sunk?” Ula asked incredulously.

“Stop it. Marilee has the right idea, anyone have an idea how to get out of this?

“Why doesn’t she get us out of this since she got us into this?” The Dark Silvanesti asks.

“We’re back to that are? I suppose I got burned by the dragon so that later I could make all of you believe me…right?

“It’s stopping me from killing you at this very moment Sea Elf.” Ancilla retorts.

“None will be killed while I stand guard here.” It was the Bronze knight. He was back.

Shimanloeth comes back into the room with a tray of seafood of various kinds.

“I didn’t expect you be here Shimmer.” Ula says.

“You know him? I mean you really know him?” The Dark Mage asks, as if this proves everything she’s been saying.

Nor I you Ula Drakenvaal.” As usual, his voice cold and strangely formal.

“How can we know you are not in league with these people? Ancilla asks, not yet getting it that everyone is ignoring her.

Everyone, but Mik.

“You know them Ula. The Dark Mage is right to question you about this. Tell them to release us.”

Ula looks to Mik and flashes him a look. “I may know them Captain, but we are not friends by any stretch of the imagination.” The accused sea elf looks to Shimanloeth, “Let me out of here.” She says angrily.

“You know I can’t.” The Knight replies.

“I know you can do anything you want to do.” Ula persists.

Shimanloeth sakes his bronzed helm, “Whatever we had, died when you left Reeftown.”

“Not by my choice alone, Ula replied. “Let me out unless you want to see me dead by Lukuda’s hand, or by one of my own cell mates.”

“You made your own fate.” The Knight turns and leaves the room.




Marilee Arbagon Rage
Chapter 15
By David

"Okay everyone, playtime is over." Marrilee says, assuming a casual parade stance. She looks first at Ancilla "Trying to place blame in this is pointless and unproductive." She turns her gaze to include everyone in the room, before Ancilla can make a reply. "We are where we are, and since none of us wants to become a slave, we must now plan how to free ourselves. Has everyone checked all of their pockets and pouches? Is there anything in this cell we might use to our advantage?"