|
|
Post by posy-punch on Jun 29, 2018 19:07:46 GMT -6
Hello Starborn, and welcome to Talori Plot 603: Hook, Line, and Sinker Team Leader: Rhodesna Co-Leader: Cassandra Participants: Taye, Cleone, Kraken, Moyra, Mohinder, Taishen Please keep the following in mind!- Posts must be a minimum of 175 words. There is no maximum!- No strict order is enforced, but there must be at least two posts between your own character's.- No god-moding or reading characters' minds (unless your pony is a literal telepath, anyway)
- Always get consent before harming another character!- Your team is precious. Try to interact with everyone. <3- Have fun! Even if your pony isn't. 8'DPrompt: Rogues are not often fond of doing the will of the government, but when there’s money involved, nearly anyone’s loyalty can be bought. The Talorian emissary to Serora has gathered the more government-sympathetic captains and pirates and, for a hefty sum, arranges for not only the transport of supplies to Serora to help with the war effort but also the passage of the emissary and the seroran traders. A job well done promises additional money, so delivering your cargo safely (though not necessarily comfortably) is a necessity. Location: On the sea! Time of Day: Sunrise Current Weather: Light drizzle, but it is clear that the storms are about to get far worse, the farther out you sail. Prepare for hurricane-like weather! You do not have to wait for your leader to post!
|
|
|
|
Post by posy-punch on Jul 1, 2018 11:32:15 GMT -6
Truth be told, Rhodesna was annoyed -strike that- She was ticked. The Stormchaser and her crew were more than enough to see to the job of delivering the Seroran cargo and the young Talorian emissary safely to Sedo, and yet, the Talorian council had insisted that she collaborate with two additional Rogue Captains and crews. It wasn’t that she didn’t like or respect Captain Kraken of the Sacrifice or Captain Moyra of the Coalescence, no, it was more that the Talori themselves didn’t respect her. Didn’t they know what she was capable of? What her ship and her men have achieved and survived on their own? Certainly not. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have called for the extra help.
Mainlanders… she’d show’em. Captain Rhodesna always gets the job done and maybe next time there’d be no need to split he reward.
On the morning of day four of the journey to Sedo, the wind started to pick up and dark clouds appeared on the horizon. Rhodesna adjusted herself at her ship’s wheel and puffed out her cheeks.
The Sisters weren’t going to make this easy for them.
“Oy Mohinder!” Rhodesna called to one of her more trusted crewmen on deck. “Make sure everything is good and secure below and that our ‘princess’ is looked after. Things are about to get a lot more bumpier.”
1 | 234
|
|
|
|
Post by daKisha on Jul 1, 2018 21:08:56 GMT -6
Mohinder Mohinder glanced back over his shoulder at the dark horizon as Capt’n Rhodes shouted him orders. The wind had picked up enough that it was causing his horn piercings to clang together against his blue, opal horns, which was never a good sign when he was standing still. “ Aye aye, Cap’n,” he loudly responded. He looked over to his familiar, a water wisp, who was entertaining herself by teasing someone’s monkey familiar farther down the main deck. “Wisp, you wee scallywag! Get over here; we’ve got work to do.” The wisp blew one last raspberry at the now angry monkey before zooming over and following Mohinder below decks. Mohinder ducked down to the first level through the armory. Then he turned tail to the stairs down to the second level. A tenderfoot passed him by on the way. Mohinder recognized him as the young lad who sometimes assisted him in the kitchen. “ Oi, cabin boy!” Mohinder barked. The young pirate jolted at his voice but responded in kind with an equally loud “ yes sir!” The tenderfoot could have been good solider and Guardian if he hadn’t been born on the Isles. “ Go make sure everything is put away and secure in the kitchen. And take the wee water horse with you. She can help tell you where things go.” The wisp gurgled her obvious displeasure and crossed her arms in refusal. Mohinder leaned over to her with a twinkle in his eye. “ You don’t want the lad to find your secret stash of booty, now do you?” The wisp let out a squeak and raced off towards the kitchen with the cabin boy close behind. Mohinder poked his head down to the second level where the main crew quarters were. Hammocks swung in between the cannons where some of the crew were napping or playing cards. As the ship’s chef, he didn’t get to give orders too often but Mohinder relished in the moment when it came. He took a deep breath before roaring at the top of his lungs. “ Look lively, you scurvy dogs! Batten down the hatches! Secure the hold! Tie down those cannons! And pray to the Sisters to be merciful. There be a storm brewing! Go, go, GO!” Mohinder only stayed to enjoy watching the initial frenzied panic as the crew all tried to jump into action at once before marching back up to the main deck and the Captain’s office where the princess emissary was staying. Not wanting to chip the Captain’s door by knocking on it with his blue, opal hoof, Mohinder took one of his six knives out from his belt with his orange teke and tapped the hilt against the door. “ Begging your pardon, Highness. I bring urgent news from the Captain,” he said, dropping most of his seafaring accent. Despite his past (which we don’t talk about) and his belief that the Talori government was corrupt and failing (this he is not afraid to give his opinion on,) this was a lady, and a princess, and deserved to be treated honorably and with respect. Until she gave him reason to otherwise.
Post: 1 | WC: 518 |
|
|
|
Post by mariahwhy on Jul 1, 2018 21:49:47 GMT -6
Kraken | Captain of the Sacrifice
Equally annoyed, Kraken stood at the aft of the Stormchaser. He watched the Sacrifice trailing behind alongside the Coalescence: here he was once again aboard another captin's ship on a well-paying mission. Thankfully, unlike with the transport of the kirins, this job had offered some money up front. But there would be more on the other end of the journey if they could just get them there. But here he was, on Rhodes's ship. He could have captained his own, but the emissary was aboard this ship, and, unlike Moyra, he could not just fly over to visit. No way would he let the two captains meet while he was stranded on his own ship, and he certainly wouldn't leave their money maker, no less one that was the daughter of the former emperor, out of his sight. It made his skin crawl to be aboard the ship of a hippocampus, but at least he did not despise Rhodes to the extent he had Ceto - gods rest her soul, wherever she might be. And, on another positive note, if anything were to go wrong this time around, at least his ship would not be targeted. He'd signal them to flee, and he wouldn't have to start all over with a ship and crew again. He was getting too old for that nonsense. A dark shape in the water below caught his eye, but it was much too small to be the scagrywr. No, it was Bilge, his own familiar, who was enjoying stretching his legs. The large crocodile had no trouble keeping up with the ships, his powerful tail swishing back and forth. But the black stallion was pulled from his reverie by a sudden burst of shouting. He turned to find a young unicorn barking orders. Wasn't he just the cook? What sort of ship was Rhodes running? He snorted at the thought, and took a moment to appreciate the scuttling of deckhands before turning to approach the other captain. He stood next to Rhodesna, facing the storm as she did and not looking at the hippo. "It'll be interesting to see how these Serorans fair the storm, eh?" That cook of yours might see a few of his meals coming back up." The banter was light and indifferent. More important was the stance - body perfectly aligned with Rhodes, head held high, body alert but loose. The passive aggressive stance of an older stallion that felt the world owed him too much respect.
(Post 1: 414 words)
|
|
|
|
Post by PaganStars on Jul 1, 2018 23:33:57 GMT -6
Moyra
Captain of the Coalescence But I know it'll have to drown me
Before it can breathe easy
  
x | x Moyra wasn’t one to stick her nose in when the government was involved, even more so when it was royalty asking questions and making queries. Sure, Moyra put up with the ship checks and the documents to sign and trades to deal with but only from the sidelines; Manon covered most of that stuff, her wingless body a more welcoming sight for the haughty Talorians that so loved to deal in expensive wares and deals.
But a letter with the official stamp and a high reward had been all too tempting, and in the end, Moyra had found herself snared by the mainlanders once more.
It wasn’t so bad, thinking about it. Protect some stuffy noses and move their shit to wherever they were going. It also helped that Moyra had a current shipment heading the same way, an added bonus to what was dragging onto be less than an exciting adventure.
Standing on the bow of her beautiful (Oh so magnificent) Coalescence, Moyra snapped her wings open and grinned as the wind pulled against her leather, the spines along her neck flaring. She loved this, the salt on her body and the smell of lightning in the air. Nodding once at Manon in a trusting matter, Moyra leapt from the bow and glided along the water, hoof barely touching it before she pulled up and snapped her wings, landing on the deck of the StormChaser and making her way to where the other two captains stood against the skyline.
She caught the last of Kraken’s words, smirking at the quip. “Ha! Now wouldn't that be a sight. Think we’ll all have to take a hand at scrubbing if we want to clear that stain” Her grin was all tooth, glancing at the others before she settled beside them, wings tucking tight to her body, body twisted as she relaxed her fake leg; her stance loose and taut at the same time, all leather and bone.
“This is going to be fun” she grinned once more, turning to walk down to the deck once more.
Post 1 | 370
|
|
|
|
Post by fynli on Jul 2, 2018 15:31:13 GMT -6
= Cassandra =
1 | 241Cassie hated sailing. She hated working with rogues even more. Being stuck on a ship with them seemed rather beneficial compared to being right in the middle of a Seroran war however. She wondered if there was going to even be a Seroran left to welcome her after this.
She’d wanted a first class voyage to Sedo in a clean ship that her father had used but those had been commissioned for sending troops to help with the war. Pirates. She just had to get stuck with pirates. However, she never made her disdain publicly noticed. Captain Rhodesna’s quarters were… adequate to say the least. Not befitting a Talorian royal but it certainly was preferable to sharing a cabin with the crew. Even if she did give a sliver of trust to the captain, she still had left her finest jewelry safely packed away.
The light knock on the door made her look up from the letter she was attempting to write, a frown pulling down her lips as the rocking of the boat disturbed her further. News from the captain? She sighed, dropping her quill and removing herself from her seat.
The mare opened the door, eyeing the unicorn in front of her. He was the type that mainlander mares would fantasize and romanticize about - she’d certainly heard stories while in the palace. She had no room for fantasies however.
“What news does she bring?” She remarked dryly, albeitly politely.
|
|
|
|
Post by daKisha on Jul 2, 2018 20:40:36 GMT -6
Mohinder Mohinder kept a wary eye on the Captains above. He had had brief interactions with both the Kraken and Moyra from his days as a Guardian on the Isles and didn’t wish for his past identity to be revealed. If they only saw him as an insignificant horse fly on the wall, the better. Being a generally boring horse meant you were easy to forget. The princess opened the door. Mohinder hadn’t seen her since the departure ceremony before the ship had set sail. He remembered thinking she must have taken after her mother since the flashy spotting of the former emperor was not present on the princess’s coat. “ What news does she bring?” the roan princess inquired. Mohinder bowed his head in a quick bob, widening his stance slightly for balance as the ship started rocking more. “ As you could probably tell, Highness, from the pitching of the ship, the waters are getting rough. A big storm is headed our way and your ride to Serora is about to get more . . . interesting.” He gestured to the carving on the back wall of Cascade and Alya battling. “ Perhaps our gifts at the departure ceremony weren’t pleasing to the Sisters. Best to stay in here where it’s dry, I think. And safe from all manner of danger.” He looked up once more in the direction of navigation deck, hoping the princess would get his hint. Unfortunately the art of subtly was lost when Wisp made an appearance by his side, gurgling to get his attention as she shifted into a miniature, watery clone of Captain Moyra, before shifting back to her normal water horse form, pointing towards the navigation deck.
Post:2 | WC: 281 |
|
|
|
Post by fallenraen on Jul 3, 2018 18:09:24 GMT -6
Cleone
If you want to see the sunshine, you have to weather the storm
   A jumble of nerves, it did not help that the waves tumbled into the side of the ship as it was steered forward by one of the captains. The pair of Serorans had been on the sea their fair share of times, young traders that did not often travel by land when there were boats to take them around the world, but still: neither of them liked storms. A swaying ship could be dealt with, easily walked along with the right adjustments, though when it rocked and fell with the rise and fall of waves or was pushed by them? It was understandingly sickening, the hippocampus anchored to that of their companion’s side as the pegasus had their head leaning over the side of the railing.
Cleone sighed, ears angled back from the drops of rain as they watched the horizon. The first three days had been.. a trip by themselves, to say the least. Being dropped off in a country to trade and buy supplies was nothing new, they’d been at it for a couple years, yet to be returned to their homeland by pirates? If there had been any room to protest and make other arrangements, there was no doubt the princess would have made them first. The two traders were simply stuck with the band with no say, accepting orders as they were and burying their distrust beneath the surface. Not all pirates could be bad, after all. Sunil hadn’t been, but Cleo wondered where the other three captains had their loyalties lie or if they had been only bought. Why else escort the princess, two traders from another herd, and whatever guardians could have been spared to Sedo?
The thought was unsettling, probably one tossed late at night worrying if all those not part of the crews could be potentially abandoned at a sign of trouble if the pay wasn’t good enough, a breath puffed out as it was pushed aside instead. Where was the fun in fretting? The weather didn’t really promote any sort of “fun” and “adventure”, honestly more nerve-racking than the pirates themselves when the wind pick up and tugged at her hair and fin, so that was another thought shaken off as Cleone brought their attention back to their partner beside them and frowned. Poor Taye. The pegasus hadn’t lost her lunch, however she wasn’t having any better of a time. Storms always got to her.
“Maybe we should have skipped out on eating this time around,” commented Cleone over the wind with a glance stolen to the three captains laughing and joking. What were they all talking about? She could only assume, ears momentarily laying flat before slowly flicking back forward again as she peeked up at Taye. Should they see if they could assist Cassandra or below deck where the both of them might be more helpful (and Taye hopefully less seasick)? It wasn’t a question asked at that moment, not yet, not when Cleo gave her friend a sympathetic look. “Seriously, are you alright?”
Post count: #1 | Word count: 505
|
|
|
|
Post by Jennycallie on Jul 3, 2018 21:45:46 GMT -6
 Taishen
Guardian
It took little more than an absent trickle of concentration for Taishen to keep the drizzling rain off of his coat, along with the periodic spray from the sea. Unfortunately, the same could not be said for the effort it took to remain steady on his own four hooves- well, three, he corrected himself bitterly.
Taishen stumbled again as the ship heaved, banging his hocks painfully against wood planking. He'd barely even begun to learn how to walk with his new prosthetic, when he’d been assigned to this mission. His parents had not wanted him to go, and his brother… well, Eden certainly had a way with words, and Taishen’s ears were still ringing with his brother’s parting opinions on Tai’s acquiescence to the voyage. Tai himself hadn’t been sure he wanted to go, but he did know he needed to get… away. Away from the Palace, away from Inaria, away from the new construction and the remaining rubble and the memories.
Taishen’s skin rippled with unease, and the Guardian looked out over the water again, still using his water manipulation to keep his coat dry. A motion caught the stallion’s gaze, and he turned in time to hear the Captain send a stallion towards Cassandra’s quarters. Alert now, Taishen welcomed the interruption to his own self pity, and he walked -carefully- away from the railing. He wouldn’t actually trail the stallion, but he would keep him in his line of sight. Tai had been tasked with guarding Cassandra, and he wasn’t going to fail. Not like he’d failed the late Emperor.
The ship heaved suddenly, and Taishen could pretend that the sea was the culprit for his twisting stomach.
Taishen worried his lip as the stallion remained speaking with Cassandra, but before he could decide to drift closer, a pegasus alighted on board. Taishen raked her with his eyes. Another pirate, lovely. He wanted to know what they were all discussing, but filthy lawbreaks that they were, this was their life and it was not his place to question them. Break their legs if they harmed Cassandra, sure. But he wouldn’t butt into their conversations; his mother hadn’t raised a rude Guardian.
Post 1 | 363 words
Badge by queerly
|
|
|
|
Post by posy-punch on Jul 4, 2018 0:07:09 GMT -6
CATASTROPHES COME IN THREES
One. As you sail the storm worsens, the clouds overhead becoming thicker, even more ominous. The wind has grown strong, whipping violently at you, a force that threatens to send you sliding across the slick decks. The rain is cold against you, and if it rain had been loud before, it is even louder now. It strikes the deck in a cacophony of noise. However, even the growing crescendo of water against the deck cannot mask the low bellow that seems to rumble through your very bones.
Two. Perhaps it is a sound familiar to you, and perhaps it is not. Regardless, the instant terror that beseeches your crew members does not lie. That is the bellow of a beast any would loathe to ever see. The water around you seems to thicken, bubbling as if it is boiling, and for a moment it appears it is too late for you already, but a moment passes and you have not yet been swallowed by the jaws of the beast. The imminent threat is clear though. A Scagrywr is no good news. It never is, and it has clearly set its sights on the sole ship of the trio that lies right above it.
Three. It is completely fantastical in appearance. Never before have you been faced with twin whirlpools as large and as violent as these. Going around the both of them may be possible, but there is also a strait of what appears to be unaffected water going right between the two of them. Even so, the presence of the predator below you means that your ships, slowed as they are, are at an increased threat going the "fast" route. The oil that clouds a scag makes it difficult for even the most skilled of captains to navigate their ships out of harm's way.
Now, it appears that the ocean has turned on you. And she seems keen to drag you into her depths. |
|
|
|
Post by fynli on Jul 4, 2018 3:22:18 GMT -6
= Cassandra =
2 | 246Cassandra hummed lowly in response, quirking an unamused brow at the mention of a storm. Her own very existence was welcomed into the midst of one but she was sheltered then. Here on open sea, anything could happen. She knew - just as every other Talorian did - about the dangers of the Wave Mother’s waters. She’d survived several storms in her short life, she’d survive another one.
The appearance of the little water creature threw her off guard, although she was pleasantly amused by the wisp’s antics. She allowed herself a brief smile at the shapeshifter before opening her mouth to thank Mohinder for the news. The low rumble that seemed to travel up the bottom of the ship and directly to her hooves stopped her. It rattled her bones, giving her a deep seated feeling of dread.
What the hell was that?
An incredulous look was sent to the rogue in front of her before she quickly pushed her way past him, trotting briskly up the stairs to the deck. The cold rain blinded her for a moment, flinching visibly as she adjusted to the weather. Her eyes met Taishen‘s and she frowned, turning her piercing gaze to the (there were now three??) captains aboard the deck.
“Captain!” she called, not caring which answered her. “What in Cascade’s holy name is going on?”
Her question was quickly answered as she looked past them, her jaw falling slack at the sight of the massive whirlpools.
Oh shit.
|
|
|
|
Post by corruptedcorvid on Jul 4, 2018 9:10:13 GMT -6
[ Taye ]
Traveling was always fun when one had their best friend with them, not only to enjoy the sights together but to chat and playfully banter with one another. It made the experience much more fun. Cleo was pretty much always there with Taye, the two nearly inseparable unless certain situations called for it. Taye, for one, was glad this one in particular did not. Not only were they stuck on a ship, again, but they were stuck on it with a bunch of pirates. No, not all pirates were bad, but the mare would have preferred not to be around the bunch. She’d made sure to voice her complaints before she made it over to the side of the boat and hung there with her head almost over the side.
Her wings were lazily sprawled by her side, eyes squeezing shut at every rough jerk from the ship or splash from the waves that hit her hull and jumped on deck. The rumbling and sloshing reminded her of her stomach at that moment, which was not too happy with the treatment it was getting. Taye had been on ships many times in her life, though it was not her love like it was for some. The secluded area where one could only go as far as the ship’s deck or what was below, the unpleasant movements of the water below that swayed a ship in all sorts of ways, the storms that could send them into the watery depths below. Plus, getting her feathers soaked and stinking of the salty air was not down on her list.
No, while her job as a trader was what she loved to do, the solid ground beneath her hooves was where she felt more safe and comfortable, or more preferably, in the sky where the wind would catch her wings and let her soar across. The mare stifled a long sigh, peering up at her friend and offering her a huge smile.
“Skip out on eating? Cleo, dear, you must be nuts,” she joked with a weak laugh, peering out to the waters once more before giving her head a shake and getting herself together. Her wings were tucked neatly against her side, steps a bit shaky as she moved from the side to stand closer to her friend. “I’m having the time of my life, are you kidding? Can’t you see? Great view, great transportation. Great company even,” she added under her breath with a quick peek around to all the captains and what crew members decided to show their faces around. And then there was the princess who seemed… more decent than the rest, but Taye hardly gave them any mind. Home and safety was her top priority and she silently prayed for just that.
She bumped her friend’s shoulder with her nose, ears twitching in slight irritation. “We got what we needed done, we’re heading home. I’ll be perfectly fine, Cleo. No worries about me,” she assured her, until a bellowing sound echoed through the air and brought a feeling of discomfort prickling against her skin. The princess noticed it too, her voice dragging her attention over with a look of dread that washed over her face. Dear Gods, she thought to herself, frowning at her friend at her side before the going ons around stole her gaze. It looked like the entirety of the ship and her crew/passengers needed to be worried about, and to be prayed for.
Word Count: 580 | Post #1 |
|
|
|
Post by mariahwhy on Jul 4, 2018 15:34:15 GMT -6
Kraken | Captain of the Sacrifice
Moyra was hard to rile up, and while that would have driven the captain crazy in someone he didn't like, he admired it in her. He wouldn't admit it of course, since she was another captain and they were all rivals in a sense, but she was certainly his favorite. Was it largely because she was another pegasus? Maybe. He didn't care. He liked her well enough either way. While a grin did not make it onto his face at her reply, his yellow eyes did crinkle up just a little bit more. They were soon drawn upwards though, at the sight of the rolling clouds picking up speed. He frowned. The one ahead, well, it covered up half of the horizon, so it would be hard to miss it, was disgustingly dark. He knew storms - any seafarer worth their salt did - but even after a life spent on the water he had never seen a cloud so ominously dark green before. A gust of wind forced him to turn his head away from the sight as a sheet of rain was suddenly blown into his face. Using his blessing he pushed against the wind, his mane and tail falling strangely still in the gale. Blinking water out of his eyes, he looked gravely up at Rhodesna. "I hope the name of your ship rings true."By the time he reached the lower deck the rain was almost too heavy to even see Bilge in the waters below. The crocodile was struggling against the tumultuous waves, and Kraken turned to the one crew member that he had brought aboard with him. Before he could yell his order - the din of the wind and rain was now such that one could not simply talk over it - for the horse to use his water manipulation to bring the reptile aboard, a much worse sound vibrated up the ship. It was a sound that still haunted him on an almost nightly basis, even six months later. The sickeningly low rumble stopped him dead in his tracks for only a moment. That was all he needed for every hair on his body to stand on end. For his eyes to widen in a look of horrified disbelief. For an immediate though indiscernible sweat to break out on his drenched coat. That was all the time he could afford. "Get that crocodile on board NOW!" he screamed to his crew member. The water was already bubbling up around Bilge, a sensation that Kraken himself could still remember. He whipped his eyes away from the struggling familiar. The terrified deck hand came half galloping, half sliding across the deck as the captain leapt away. "The scagrywr has come for your bloody souls!" he yelled in his most carrying captain's voice, half in response to Cassandra's question, and half as a warning to the whole ship. Despite the bucking and heaving of the ship he never lost footing, and made it back up to the top deck in just a few leaps. "No point hiding below decks! Any chance of survival you have is up here! Better pray to whatever god you will, for they are the only ones that can save you now!" He was trying to block out the memories of his last encounter with the beast, but it was impossible. So few had survived. He certainly should not have. But he had at least learned last time that there was no point in trying to bait the beast. No, he would not lose his ship again. Not by his own orders anyway. Topping the deck he skidded to the back, laying eyes on the Sacrifice. He would tell them to run. He would give them a boost with his blessing, but he would stay on this ship, because, like last time, it held the profits. He would not lose everything again. He would either lose nothing, or lose his life. "Whirlpools!" The words, shouted and repeated across the deck, distracted him from signaling the order however, and he slowly turned. His grip on his blessing slipped, and the wind whipped him in the face. It was a horrible sight, almost as shocking as the scagrywr. The twin whirlpools spinning ahead were impossibly large, and already pulling them in. The Sacrifice would not be able to run now. His blood ran cold, and he suddenly felt impossibly old and mortal. His steps were heavy and eerily calm as he walked away from the railing. "Cascade, you bitch."
(Post 2: 752 words)
|
|
|
|
Post by daKisha on Jul 5, 2018 22:04:33 GMT -6
Mohinder The deep rumble that reverberated beneath the ship and through his hooves reminded Mohinder of a whale, only louder, less friendly, and more foreboding. The princess, also responding to the unfamiliar sound, pushed past him and up towards the navigation deck, demanding to know what was going on. He was about to advise her against that since only the Captain, cleric, first mate, and ship’s navigator were freely allowed freely up there. But Cassandra was a princess and formalities weren’t important right now as it seemed a hurricane was upon them. The rain was pelting the decks even harder, making the flooring slick with water. Steady footing was growing almost impossible for the landlubbers with the violent pitching of the ship. With his cropped mane and tail, the water didn’t weigh Mohinder down much but visibility was becoming an issue as water ran into his eyes. He pulled out his head scarf and secured it around the top of his head to help – somewhat. He pretended not to notice the princess's bodyguard keeping an eye on him. Mohinder had been more than a little uneasy when Taishen had boarded with the mainlanders, as he know the paint from his days as a Guardian. But the liver chestnut stallion did not seem to recognize him, treating Mohinder no differently than the rest of the rogues. If Taishen truly didn't remember him, all the better. He was still a wanted criminal for escaping his prison sentence on the Isles. But if it was all an act, what was the reason? The voice of the Kraken cut through the rain like a knife. "The scagrywr has come for your bloody souls!” And Mohinder’s blood turned to ice. Of course, he had heard the stories of how the Kraken had his ship and most of his crew to a scagrywr. There wasn’t a rogue on the Isles who hadn’t heard of it or some variation of the story. Most pirates could live their whole lives without seeing one. And now within the span of a year, Captain Kraken had encountered two. How could such a captain be so unlucky. And why did he have to bring that bad luck with him. Mohinder cursed him under his breath. He began to quickly think about all of his training, all he had learned as a pirate and a Guardian, knowing full well it was in vain. He looked to Wisp, who had no helpful suggestions. In the growing gloom, her blue bioluminescence was starting to glow. She showed her eagerness for all things scary and chaotic by arming herself with a tiny, harmless water sword. But no physical weapons that they possessed would be no good here. He shook the water from his eyes and looked over to the crew mate next to him, who seemed frozen in fear. Mohinder butted against her winged shoulder. She blinked over at him with wide, fearful eyes. “You heard the Cap’n. Bring all hands on deck, lassie. There’s no time to waste!” Twin whirpools became visible through the heavy curtain of rain. “No time to waste at all,” he murmured. The pegasus crew mate hesitated. “But Rhodes…”
“I know he’s not our cap’n, but do as he says.” Mohinder ordered frantically, almost pushing her along. “He knows better than most of us what these beasts are capable of. If we live through this and you get reprimanded by Cap’n Rhodes, l take responsibility. Now GO!”
Post: 3 | WC: 591 |
|
|
|
Post by fallenraen on Jul 9, 2018 15:10:02 GMT -6
Cleone
If you want to see the sunshine, you have to weather the storm “Skip out on eating? Cleo, dear, you must be nuts,” was the response Cleo should have expected from her friend. Through rough seas, Taye could quite literally pick herself back up despite not being made for the ocean as Cleone was. The hippocampus rolled their eyes, offering a somewhat steady shoulder what with the boat’s sways and the ocean’s pulls for their even more unsteady companion who had stepped closer. “Hush you,” she laughed at Taye’s remark to their company, holding back the urge to nudge Taye playfully. To send her toppling over? While it would have been a sight to see, then certainly wasn’t the time. Not with the company they did have nor what was in store for them.
It had been reassuring for a moment that, regardless of the storm and Taye’s stomach, she would have been fine. Worry about Taye, or anyone else on board for that matter, could have been eased if not for how the storm picked up, rain lashing and wind whipping. Cleone would have suggested they really step inside then out of the rain, perhaps aid the princess in whatever she had been doing before being summoned by that pirate boy or go down below to see if they were any assistance there, when everyone heard it: the bellowing of a beast. No whale made the crew freeze from what the trader saw or had their own blood run cold with dread. What was it?
Pressing closer to Taye’s side, whether for seeking out comfort or protecting the previously sick pegasus, Cleone’s question was soon answered by one of the captains they looked to with wide eyes. The Scagrywr? Admittedly, the Seroran knew little of the monster besides its name spoken from any stories Talorian travelers had in the ports of Sedo. They were just supposed to be legends, however.
It seemed the world had it out for them as, when Cleone had been about to open their mouth and question the reality of their situation, shouts of whirlpools elsewhere on the deck had their attention distracted. What in Cascade’s name is going on? What were they supposed to do? How were they going to survive - No, she mentally told herself firmly with a shake of her head to steel herself when the crew’s panic began to seep into her own thoughts, bones and bones, as well as her expression, keep calm. The captains could surely see them safely through anything with a plan, could they not? The seas were theirs to travel, theirs to know. There had to be a way.
“Captains!” spoke up the Seroran at last to address those in charge, shifting their gaze from the horrors of the world around them to their only hope for survival, “what are your exact orders for everyone?” No god could keep them all safe. As much as Cleone prayed to Alya and Cascade both, as much as she wished they could save them, it would not be their patrons that would save their best friend, the princess, and the crews. Everyone likely had to help and put their own hooves to work to save others under the direction of the three captains. It was a thought that pressed the trader's lips into a thin line as they waited to hear instructions, stealing a peek from the corner of golden eyes to Taye to assure themselves she was okay at least until they got busy.
Cascade… Alya… at the least give us strength to survive such challenges.
Post count: #2 | Word count: 585
|
|
|
|
Post by Jennycallie on Jul 10, 2018 1:04:02 GMT -6
Taishen
Guardian
Taishen’s eyes had been drawn again and again to the brewing storm. He wasn’t sure why, exactly, but for some reason a storm seen sweeping down towards him on the open sea was a whole lot more frightening than seen from the shores of the mainlands. The colour was odd, menacing even, and the Guardian was no expert but he felt that the clouds seem to be moving awfully fast.
Only Cassandra’s abrupt appearance could have ripped Taishen’s slightly wild eyes away from the stormwall, and he swung like the needle on a compass to track her path across the ship.
Then the whole ship trembled, and seemed to moan. It took Taishen a moment to understand that the ship hadn’t made the sound, but something else had. Something below the ship. Something large enough to send its sound-waves straight up Tai’s legs, rattling his ribs. Cassandra had turned wide eyes towards him, and for a frozen pair of heartbeats, Taishen stared back, like a wild animal flushed into the open.
“The Scagrywr has come for you bloody souls!”
The authoritative bellow made Taishen jump, and he bit back a curse as his prosthetic slid across the heaving, rain-whipped deck. But the cry had snapped Taishen from his daze, and he flung his head up, moving quickly (if inelegantly) to stand near to Cassandra. He certainly couldn’t do much to shield her from the violence of the storm or the Scagrywr, but he would be damned if he didn’t try.
Between the cacophony of voices and the rising shriek of the storm, it was difficult to hear or pick out individual words, but several times in rapid succession Tai caught the word “whirlpool” and he almost laughed. Wouldn’t that just be something? Honestly though he’d expected sterner stuff from these pirates, not for them to lose their heads completely at the first -and admittedly now, second- sign of danger.
Naturally, that was when Taishen caught sight of the whirlpool.
“Oh,” he said, and to someone who didn’t know him he might have sounded calm. “There are two of them.” His eyes fell on Cassandra again, and Taishen felt a moment of bone-shuddering despair seep through his veins like poison.
“Captains! What are your exact orders for everyone?”
The words carried faintly to Taishen, but they slammed into him like arrows, and his eyes narrowed, head flying up again. It was a good question, it was the right question.
“I have a water manipulation Blessing,” Taishen shouted at the captains. “I can help steer or slow the ship, or keep things dry! What do you need from me?”
Post 2 | 407 words
Badge by queerly
|
|
|
|
Post by corruptedcorvid on Jul 11, 2018 21:45:40 GMT -6
[ Taye ]
With the sight in front of them, it made it difficult to pry her gaze from the two giant whirlpools each threatening to take down the ships should they come too close, but how was it possible to avoid them when they were practically being dragged towards them? It seemed nearly impossible to escape, a sure death in Taye’s eyes when only doubt crashed through her mind like the angry waves against the side of the ship. This wasn’t the way she wanted to go. It wasn’t the time for her to go.
Only the shouts from captain Kraken pulled her to and her head shook, ridding herself from her thoughts to focus on those around her. Cleo had come close, and while she was thankful for the warmth and comfort she provided, it hardly did much to ease her oncoming anxiety. A breath of air exhaled from her lungs was an attempt to relax, but Kraken’s shouting of the Scagrywr that has ‘come for their bloody souls’ made her shudder and offer a worried glance to her friend. That explained the sound below the ship, and she knew that wasn’t good. They’d been lucky to have never seen such a monster, but everyone’s luck would run out at some point or another…
A step against the deck was a reminder of the rain pouring down on them when her hoof nearly slid from under her, and she made an effort to keep herself upright and as steady as she could. What use would she be to the rest if she couldn’t even stand on her own damn legs? If there would be any way for them to survive at all, they had to work together and that included her. There was no time for cowering and hiding. Kraken was right. Staying below decks was pointless.
Everyone else was already speaking up and offering their aid to the ship and her people, her friend included. Taye’s eyes shut briefly, shielding her eyes from the falling rain. Alya. Cascade. Whoever is up there or around us watching, please protect us. Help us find a way through this mess and keep us all safe. I don’t know if we can do this on our own. She shook herself out and carefully stepped forward, her wings slightly parted as if it would help her keep her balance.
“Whatever you need me to do, I’m willing to do it,” she called out to the captains on board, knowing there had to be something for a mere trader like herself to do. She couldn’t be completely useless if it wasn’t trading goods from herd to herd. Even with the doubt in her voice, she tried to be hopeful. A simple prayer out to the gods had done something for her, in the least.
Word Count: 468 | Post #2 |
|
|
|
Post by PaganStars on Jul 13, 2018 13:26:29 GMT -6
Moyra
Captain of the Coalescence But I know it'll have to drown me
Before it can breathe easy
x | x Moyra flared her wings as she made her way down to the main deck once more, a smirk on her face all the while. Even with the ominous clouds upon the horizon, she had no doubt that they would fulfil their duty to the Talor government and get the precious princess to the scolding desert lands with little more than a few bumps in the road.
Walking past the two Serorans on the ship, Moyra couldn’t help but eye the pegasus. She was so unused to seeing feathered wings, she hardly felt like a pegasus herself. Her fins and leather wings always made her feel… separate from them, stuck in a space between hippocampus and Pegasus.
Glancing back at her blue-stained wings, Moyra shook her head from the thought and sauntered to the bow, spreading her wings with a snap and preparing to jump back to the Coalescence.
But then the ship had moaned under their feet, the sound reverberating into her bones. The wind picked up and Moyra felt herself lifted a few feet before she snapped her wings shut, landing with a hard thud as the rain began to beat down upon them. Kraken’s words run loud, and Moyra felt adrenaline and fear dancing in her gullet.
Letting out a barking laugh (some would think her mad but really that’s just how she dealt with things) and grinning wickedly “You heard him, Start praying!” she bellowed over the sound of the rain and wind “Start tyin’ down anything you don't want to lose and DON’T go below deck.” she echoed Kraken’s words, wild eyes looking up at the storm.
Turning her head towards the general direction of where the Coalescence had been sailing alongside the Stormchaser, Moyra bit down hard on her lip and inhaled deeply, letting out an impossibly loud and shrill whistle. Her longs ears flicked forward as she waited for Manon to spring into action, grinning once more as a line of faint green lamps could be seen lit through the fog, only to turn red a moment later. high alert.
“Don’t lose my ship, Manon.” she said under her own breath, holding her wings tight to herself as she ran over to the mast, beginning to help the other pirates with the ropes and sails.
Post 2 | 408
|
|
|
|
Post by daKisha on Jul 19, 2018 22:46:50 GMT -6
Mohinder With the wind blowing the rain sideways, the Stormchaser sailing towards the twin whirlpools, and the great beast bellowing below, Mohinder grabbed some safety harnesses and tossed them at the mainlanders. “Here, put these on lest you want to go swimming with the scag.”
The harnesses would at least keep them safe from falling overboard. But what if they needed to abandon ship? Mohinder unsheathed 3 of his 6 throwing knives and gave one each to Cleo, Taye, and Cassie. He purposefully skipped over the Guardian for obvious reasons. “Use these to cut your harness rope in the very unlikely event that we need to make a quick escape off this ship. No matter what happens DON’T – LOSE - THESE, savy?” He took turns looking each mare in the eye with those last words, his tone dead serious, ending with his gaze on the princess. “Because if you do, then you will be dead.” Mohinder gave the princess a quick cheek twitch of a wink to assure her he wasn’t serious. Then he turned back to help the rest of the crew who were bustling about, tying down the sails. Mohinder secured his own safety harness while his water wisp familiar, Wisp, (he never really was original with names) was glowing blue beside him, shifting and making gestures. He interpreted this as her asking what she could do to help. “I don’t know. Go look after Selene (Captain Rhodes newborn daughter) or something. Talk the scag into NOT eating our ship and ask the Sisters to take a chill pill. Take your pick!”
- - - - - - -
Now my dear readers, no one can really know what goes on inside the mind of this living raindrop. Nor where all her bravery comes from and how it can all fit inside such a tiny vessel. No sooner had her master turned away, this tiny wisp of a Wisp plunged into the churning sea. The world around her quickly became dark. But even that could not hide the vast presence of the beast as it moved through the gloom. Next to this ginormous creature, she really was nothing more than a glowing drop of water. Not that it could see her. The scag has no eyes. But I do wonder if it heard her tiny battle cry as she plunged down its ear canal?
Post: 4 | WC: 395 |
|
|
|
Post by mariahwhy on Jul 21, 2018 12:01:25 GMT -6
Kraken | Captain of the Sacrifice
Kraken closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He breathed in the rain chilled air, and listened to the screams and shouts around him. Alya. If ever you considered me a patron of your good grace, watch over us now. With the beating of your mighty wings keep our heading straight and true. He let out his breath. And if you could get rid of that fucking beast somehow that would be great. Opening his eyes he looked around now with a sense of purpose. Was he not one of the most experienced captains that sailed these seas? He certainly was no yellow-bellied cabin boy, sailing through his first gale. Cascade had fucked with him before, and he would meet her challenge again. The whirlpools were a problem, yes, but he at least knew what to do with them. As for the monster below... well, the only chance they had against it was luck. And if a pirate knew anything it was how to win lady luck's favor. He stepped forward, his own ship pushed out of his mind. His first mate would have to do with it as he saw fit. There was no getting orders to the boat through this storm anymore. Instead he surveyed the crewman rushing about the Stormchaser, noting the scattered way they went about things in their panic. The cook was at least instructing the mainlanders to put on their harnesses. A good plan. As long as they didn't tip over. But with the scagrywr below it wouldn't make much difference at that point whether they were attached to the ship or not. He watched as the unicorn's wisp suddenly bolted over the side of the ship, and rolled his eyes. Man over board. His own familiar lay steadily on the deck, sliding back and forth with the heaving of the waves. Useless. Suddenly the boat tipped dangerously, a wave crashing over the side and spreading water across the already rain-slickened deck. Bilge was washed sideways into a couple of crates, several crew members being washed against his scaly hide in turn. They skittered away from the hissing crocodile, and Kraken scoffed. Had it not been for the massive animal blocking them they might have been washed overboard. But that wasn't his problem. Lives would be lost today, there was no doubt about that. As long as it wasn't his. But to ensure that he had to take action now. He wouldn't touch the helm. No matter the situation, he would not belittle another captain in such a way as to take direct control of their ship. No, the physical steering would be up to Rhodes and her helmsman. But he had no problem with bossing her crew around. "Avast, ye! Leave the headsail, but take up all the others!" The wind was howling overhead, billowing the fabric violently. Already he knew small tears would be forming at the pressure points with as much force was being put behind them in this storm. They needed to reduce the strain and save them for when they might need them later. Rarely would he suggest furling up so many and risk their forward momentum, but they were already caught in the pull of the whirlpools. Together the two vortexes would drag the ship forward, and with his blessing and someone steering the ship the last remaining sail should provide them with enough leverage to get where they wanted to go. It would take too long to go around the whirlpools. The best chance they had with them was to go straight down the middle. They were quite close together though, and sailing so close to one - much less two - was practically a death sentence. But if they could keep the boat straight they just might make it. And if they could go through the middle, hopefully the beast would not follow. Or, if it did, perhaps the power of two large whirlpools would be enough to drag it deep into the ocean. The boat tilted wildly to port as it climbed a wave sideways. The sails being in different stages of being closed up was throwing it off course. If they tipped they were dead. Kraken's eyes, yellow as ever even in the dark, green atmosphere, lighted on the guardian. He had understood why the stallion had been thought necessary, but as a rogue of course he found him a nuisance. But now... "You said water manipulation? Then, by the gods, make yourself useful and steer this damn ship!" He looked out on what horizon could be seen in the dense rain. "We need to go straight through the maelstroms. That's the only chance we've got. Keep us as steady as you bloody well can, and if you can find any of this crew with a similar blessing then have them help!" The ship crested the wave, and began to slide down the other side. With a hard jolt it hit the basin of the wave, and water splashed up on deck again. Even with his sea legs Kraken lurched ungainly to the side before bracing his studded horseshoes into the rain softened wood. "Get us at an angle to those waves, now! If we go down sideways again I doubt we'll come back up!"The captained stalked now to Mohinder and the Serorans. He looked at the two mares: landlubbers, both of them. He doubted either knew anything about sailing, but no hooves could be wasted now. "If you don't want to lose all of the goods you were taking home then you better help tie them down. Don't worry about anything in the hull. Just get the crates on deck secured, and don't let any of them knock you overboard." Finally his eyes landed on Cassandra. Thunder rolled and rain pounded the decks. Another bellow from the scagrywr shuddered beneath them and the ship creaked with the strain of the storm. The captain motioned to Mohinder, "Stay with him, and don't die." He slogged through the pooling water back to the upper deck, and faced the oncoming whirlpools. He ignored the fact that the sea below was growing unnaturally black. They were in a race now, and they had to win. Focusing as much as he could he used his blessing to keep the wind behind the last remaining sail, helping to pull them above each wave, but also making sure the pressure was held back just enough to keep from snapping the mast.
(Post 3: 1081 words)
|
|
|
|
Post by Jennycallie on Jul 25, 2018 19:54:01 GMT -6
Taishen
Guardian
Some small part of Taishen’s mind clanged in alarm at the idea of “steering the ship”, something he was untrained to do even in the best of conditions. But he was too well-trained a Guardian to do anything but jump to action when given an order, and he did so with alacrity, slipping and sliding his way to the hull of the ship. Wishing that he had some way of securing himself to the craft, Taishen braced himself and craned his neck over the sides, squinting through the maelstrom at the whirlpools and doing his very best to ignore how ill the sight made him. He had never been afraid of water before, but his worldview was undergoing a sharp rewrite at the revelation of twin whirlpools on the open sea.
Swallowing hard, the Guardian began to bend his will onto the water breaking upon the ship, teeth bared as he strained to guide the ship between the two anomalies. The water, low-light and choppy foam aside, was far too dark and oily in appearance. The Scag. Taishen’s heart gave a lurch and he lost temporary control of his water manipulation, before “seizing” the waves again and pushing them against the ship. Would the beast try to take them? Could it follow them into the whirlpools? Surely even a monster like the Scag wouldn’t be able to swim, let alone attack, with any accuracy in a whirlpool.
Inspiration stuck Taishen like a lighting bolt, his brown eyes widening.
“CAPTAINS!” he bellowed, turning his head as much as he dared, unwilling to lose sight of the water he guided. “CAN WE LURE THE SCAG INTO ONE OF THE WHIRLPOOLS?” If they could distract it, or even use it’s bulk to calm the raging waters… he wasn’t sure if it was a good idea or not but by the waves, it wasn’t as if the situation could get much worse.
Wave Mother, be with your children now, Taishen prayed fiercely, sweat standing cold on his coat even as the rain was kept from it. Do not abandon us!
Post 3 | 347 words
Badge by queerly
|
|
|
|
Post by fallenraen on Jul 25, 2018 22:34:47 GMT -6
Cleone
If you want to see the sunshine, you have to weather the storm When asking for the captains’ orders, it was not expected to instead receive them from the cook of the ship. Not that the trader had any room to complain, grateful the stallion tossed harnesses over their way to put on and stay anchored to the ship. Swimming with the ‘scag’? Cleone would pass, catching the sturdy material in a soft golden-yellow glow that they then used to hook themselves up to a post and help Taye who had claimed whatever was needed to be done would be by her willing to do so. At least Taye was putting on a brave face, even when Cleone knew better and their heart ached as the ship lurched and was pushed with the storm.
Upon the unsheathing of knives, by the same cook, ears momentarily flicked forward before laying flat again against the hippocampus’ head due to the rain that hit them, eyes widening despite the register that their words were of a joking air to not lose the knives. They had not handled very many knives, they noted in the back of their mind as they took it with a nod and word of thanks. Was he trying to lighten their spirits or did he always joke so much? It wasn’t a question asked as the knife was tucked away safely, lips pressing into another thin line as their golden gaze flicked up to the captain that stalked towards them then.
Kraken. As intimidating as his name was, yet another fabled sea monster, so was the Talorian captain himself. Gruff, scarred, there was no doubt in mind that the pirate had had his fair share of the sea and of fights. How many years had he sailed? She could have felt sorry that after so many years he had to deal with some giant monster below the decks of the ship, ready to not only undoubtedly tear apart this ship but maybe his own as well, yet there wasn’t really anymore room to pity one when she feared for them all. “Yes, sir,” came the only reply, a shaking breath before Cleo looked to their companion.
Ready to go? It was an unspoken question shared during the one glance, expression pinching and turning with the worry and concern that twisted in their belly, before they offered their shoulder to aid Taye across the deck and begin helping others with the task of tying the load down. Controlled on the outside could not say the same for the heart that beat, a trapped fish in the bowl that was frightened for their life. Would any of them make it out of this alive?
The shout of the Talorian guardian caught their attention for but a moment during their hurried task to get the supplies secure as they swayed and stumbled, though lacking any ability that truly helped besides their teke and own hooves, Cleone let the captains and any other crew tend to their question which, admittedly, had been a very good one. Luring the beast into a whirlpool surely would give them enough time to get it off their tails and make the getaway needed. What luck had blessed them all that he was there.
Post count: #3 | Word count: 532
|
|
|
|
Post by PaganStars on Jul 27, 2018 13:57:10 GMT -6
Moyra
Captain of the Coalescence But I know it'll have to drown me
Before it can breathe easy
x | x Darting past Kraken, Moyra had heeded his words and had begun to take up all the other sails with Rhodes crew, using her wings and tail as leverage to bring them up quick, fighting with the ropes in the gale force winds. She was grinning wildly, teeth bared as she fought against the wind, tying down and securing everything she could see. The other captains wouldn’t hear the end of it if Rhodes lost her ship, and she was not going to let that happen today. “Kraken! Get up there and help her fight the wheel, I'll get the sails in order!”
Working around the Seroran group and their Talori emissary, Moyra couldn’t help but through in a quip “Enjoying the ride?!” She let out a barking laugh, grunting as she tightened up another sail. They needed to push forward, to fight against the wind and the sails were doing nothing to help that. Catching the last of Taishen’s words, Moyra grinned “Brilliant! OI ANYONE OF YOU WITH A WATER OR AIR BLESSING GET HELPING THAT GUARDIAN!” her words cut through the wind, harsh and demanding (a real captain’s sort of tone)
“Cook! Get that familiar of yours in its ears and see if it can lure him into the stronger waves!” There was no telling if this would work, no telling if they were strong enough or if the damned beast would even fall for it. Damning me again, are you wind mother? Well, you wont get me this time. Moyra bared her teeth, wings spread as she worked against the wind.
Post 3 | 288
|
|
|
|
Post by posy-punch on Jul 28, 2018 15:44:24 GMT -6
The wisp is little hindrance to the beast. If anything, it is hardly noticed if at all. Again, the beast bellowed, locating the ship in the chaos of the storm. While the ship may have been buffeted around, the beast in the deep hardly felt a thing; the currents did little to disrupt the six hundred foot monstrosity. The ocean heaves, a wave cresting over the prow of the ship. The Stormchaser groaned, the very structure of the ship standing test to the elements raging against it. The maelstroms are approaching, and the Scag has begun to rise towards your ship. ___
In three posts the Scag can be lured into one of the whirlpools to disrupt both its and the whirlpool's paths.
|
|
|
|
Post by mariahwhy on Jul 29, 2018 15:18:52 GMT -6
Kraken | Captain of the Sacrifice
Kraken was focusing as hard as he could at controlling the air around the remaining sail. The gale force winds were so strong that it was a struggle, and he closed his eyes against the driving rain. Suddenly Moyra's voice broke through, breaking his concentration. Normally he'd give her a quick reprimand for daring to boss him around, but in such a situation there was no time for pettiness. He looked around to the wheel. Several horses were already wrestling with it, but to little avail. The horse of the water and wind was overcoming any effort they put in. He growled, and jumped over to the helm. His yellow teke mixed in with the teke of the other horses already grasping the wheel, and he tugged hard. Together they steadied it, but there was no possibility of turning the ship in any specific direction. They would just have to hope the guardian and other water blessed horses could manage that. The black stallion couldn't put such energy behind both his teke and his blessing. He could feel the air currents slipping out of his control. If he let go of them now, the sail would catch the full force of the wind, and would likely rip with the sudden pressure. If he let go of the wheel it might slip, and the ship would hit the next wave side on. Both could be a death sentence in any storm, even more so this one. "COOK," he yelled as loudly as possibly. "GET UP HERE AND HOLD THE DAMN WHEEL."As soon as another set of teke showed upon the wheel he leapt away, and down onto the lower deck. His mane, tail, and beard whipped wildly in the winds. The tangles were immense and they kept blowing in his face, but he kept his focus on the sail. He tried to ignore the bellow that sounded again, but he knew there it was only a matter of time before the monster would make an actual appearance. He was honestly surprised it had taken this long. He didn't know if it was those steering the water, or those steering the wheel, but they hit the next wave head on. The ship jolted, and Kraken and many of the others on deck were knocked forward. He stumbled, falling to his knees as the wave crashed over the front of the boat. Saltwater swirled briefly around his legs, and he spat out the water that he had managed to ingest. "KEEP IT ANGLED!" he screamed to whoever would listen. But it was too late. His concentration had been broken, and the sail had slipped out of his grasp. He looked up to see it flapping wildly in the wind, no longer bellowed out as it should be. As he had expected, there was a tear right up the middle. "Gods be damned!" They were moving at a fast clip though thanks to the storm. Instead of having them lower a sail now he would wait until they were partially through the maelstroms. They'd need to unfurl it just at the right moment to carry them out of the grasp of the storm instead of getting caught in its vortex. He turned to see if the grasps had slipped on the helm, but before he could time ran out. An impossibly large body crested next to the ship. The shape seemed deformed, but Kraken knew those rock formations to be the poll of what could be considered its head. There was no eye. It bellowed again, the sound so loud now that it visibly shook the ship and its inhabitants. The stallion pinned his ears against his sound, but still it was deafening. Over the roar of the approaching whirlpools it was about all he could hear anymore. The creature turned as it dove back under, no doubt going down to take aim at the ship. He watched as the scales and flippers passed quickly by and back into the boiling, black waves. One of the tentacles burst out of the water, flopping high above the ship, before crashing back down on to the deck. While the beast could not entirely control its movement, it was deadly enough in its size and the fact that the suction cups on the end could stick to most anything. "MOVE!" he yelled, running forward to where the Serorans were double knotting a crate to one of the masts. He grabbed one of their harnesses with his teeth, and the other with his teke, and threw them out of the way. The tentancle slammed onto the deck just feet away from the three of them, landing on top of another unlucky crew member. The horse screamed, pinned to the deck and surely with a broken bone or two, as the tentacle began to slide off the deck from the pull of the monster. It knocked previously secured boxes loose and grabbed another crew member before sliding through the now broken railing and disappearing into the waves. The ship pitched again from the waves created by the monster's descent, and the now loose boxes and barrels began to slide across deck and into the ocean.
(Post 4: 867 words)
|
|
|
|
Post by Chipo-H0P3 on Aug 8, 2018 20:02:33 GMT -6
-------------- Captain Rhodesna --------------Rhodesna laughed wholeheartedly at Kraken's and Moyra's quips on the sand dwellers. This was the longest she had spent in the company of either captain and she was finding them to be decent company, skilled in their craft, capable leaders with the rare ability to cooperate. They had disagreements but they weren't at each other throats yet. Rhodesna had few complaints.
The storm didn't take long to pick up. It swept over them like a crashing wave. Rhodesna's fur bristled, charged with the electric energy in the atmosphere. She loved that feeling. It was the feeling of gods power about to be unleashed. She'd chased after it, named her ship after it, but the feeling this time was laced in a coating of dread. This storm would be like no other.
Blinking away the water from her eyes, the captain took notice of the colossal whirlpools forming on the horizon. Torrential downpour beat down on the deck of the Stormchaser, making her dangerously slippery and wild. The ship seemed alive, and like a panicked animal, she struggled under the restraints of its master.
A blurry green blob that wasn't supposed to be there caught Rhodesna's attention. Cassandra, despite being one of the Ocean's children, didn't seem to enjoy being out at sea even when it was calm, so it was a wonder why she decided to come topside now of all times.
“Captain! What in Cascade’s holy name is going on?” called Talori's little princess.
She didn't have time for this. "You were instructed to stay below deck!" Rhodesna barked back in aggravation. "The ship will hold. Aye, It'll take something a lot bigger to bring her down!"
As if to answer, a terrible roar erupted from beneath the waves and sent vibrations up towards the heavens. Everyone froze to collect their nerve and footing while the water around the three pirate vessels began to boil and turn into a thick black sludge. Despite never experiencing such a thing, Rhodesna knew exactly the cause. One look at Kraken confirmed her suspicion. A Scagrywr, the beast of legend that lived in the darkest depths of every seafarer's fears, swam just below them.
Rhodesna uncharacteristically froze at the helm as she tried to come to terms as to what was happening. The other more seasoned captains leapt into action, directing her crew, but all she could do was think 'why?'. Why had the gods forsaken them? Her? After all the careful preparation and dutiful prayer, why? It was clear to her that there had to be a reason behind this mystical onslaught of nightmarishly bad luck and it would not be solved by simply trying to out-maneuver the beast through the storm.
Her mind was elsewhere, searching for an answer that could save them, which did not fair well to steering a vessel. The Stormchaser ran head-first into a rogue wave. Water crashed down on the crew. Kraken cursed.
"Watch your tongue!" Rhodesna spat, piercing blue eyes staring him down from the shadows of her drenched curls. "It'll be their mercy alone that gets us out alive. Mohinder! listen to your Captain and help the crew. KEEP TO YOUR STATIONS MEN! READY THE CANONS! IF WE GO DOWN WE GO DOWN FIGHTING!"
The Scag breached beside the ship, letting out another deafening bellow, and sweeping the deck with one of it's tentacles.
"Fuck." Rhodesna hissed behind tightly gritted teeth. Any hope they had of outrunning it was gone. Time seemed to slow as her ship and men were battered and torn apart. She noticed Kraken leap to save what was left of their mission, and try to keep the Emissary and the serorans from the beast's clutches.
And that was when something clicked.
"YOU! AT THE HELM! NOW!" Rhodesna motioned for her navigator to take over so that she could step down to the main deck. She zeroed in on Cassandra.
"Come with me." She said, not leaving her anytime for a rebuttal. Rhodesna dragged her inside through her office and to her personal room where Cassandra had been staying.
She locked the door behind her.
The chaos from outside was muffled now, but the moans and cracks of the ship echoed on. From her eyes, Rhodesna could tell that Cassandra was terrified. She was too.
"I had heard that there was a princess born on the mainland whose body had turned from wind to water." Rhodesna began. "I thought she'd be much younger, but that child is you, isn't it?" She stepped forward. "You're the child who was sacrificed."
The look on the younger mare's face gave her away and Rhodesna's heart sank. She should have never taken this job.
"I'm so sorry my dear, but the Sisters... the Sisters still fight over your soul."
Rhodesna gripped Cassandra's shoulder and shoved her through the balcony doors back out into the howling storm.
"We can't keep them from you!" She cried out to Cassandra, willing her to understand and cease her struggling. "This is the way it must be." With one final push, her body toppled over the railing, disappearing into the dark depths below.
P2 | WC 858 |
|
|
|
Post by corruptedcorvid on Aug 10, 2018 22:16:29 GMT -6
[ Taye ]
Taye had no room to complain when they’d been offered harnesses to tie and keep them aboard the ship. Another glance towards the water and her stomach turned in displeasure. No way did she want to end up as a snack for the beast that swam beneath. As Cleo helped her to get the harness on herself, Taye did her best to help her own friend get it on themself while squinting to keep the rain out and staying on her hooves. Even if they did somehow slip, at least it wouldn’t be overboard with the end of the harness knotted tightly to keep them in place.
The knife the cook had offered to them was tucked underneath part of the harness against her side, leaving it there for easy grabs in case they did need to cut through the rope that held them in place. She exchanged a glance with her friend momentarily, listening to the words of those around them until one of the captains spoke to them and suggested they secure any goods they were bringing back to Sedo. That sounded like a smart idea considering it would be a waste to lose anything after going through all the trouble to get them. The mare exhaled a quick breath, moving along the deck with Cleone to help make sure their goods weren’t lost to the storm.
“We’ll make it back home, Cleo,” Taye murmured to her friend, trying to sound as reassuring as she could. There was still the worry that something, anything, could happen to everyone on the ship, including them, but she tried to stay positive. They would make it through. They had to. Even if right then everything looked pretty grim, there being a struggle to keep the ship steady and out of the twin whirlpools as well as the jaws of the beast. On the inside, she was sure the beast would have them and it pained her to think that neither of them would ever see land again, or those that were important to them. Her teeth gritted together, fighting against the wind and the rain to hold herself together and tie down the supplies to the mast.
With her focus mainly on the task at hand, she didn’t hear the scream of Kraken in warning until she was yanked away from her place and practically tossed aside. She slid across the soaked deck a good ways away, surprise on her face as a tentacle came out of the water and slammed down on the wooden boards and shook the entire ship. The pegasus scrambled back to her hooves at the sound of another equine’s cry, fear in her eyes until she spotted her friend not too far from her. Still, her heart dropped at the thought of the poor horse who had fallen victim to the creature.
As the tentacle finally disappeared back into the water, she scurried over to her friend to be sure she was alright and to lend her a shoulder to get her back up. She peered over at Kraken with a silent ‘thank you’, grateful yet surprised for putting himself in the way of danger just to get two traders away from it. Turning her head away, she saw that the supplies that they had worked on tying down were no longer secure and they were making their way overboard. Her ears flicked back and, without thinking, she leapt forward and snapped her teeth around the ropes of one crate, using her telekinesis to grab at another one or two that she was able to. Even if they couldn’t all be saved, they could still bring back some and that was better than nothing.
She stepped back, her hooves nearly giving out under multiple times as she struggled to hold on and not let all the cargo slip away. Thank the gods the harness was still holding her back or she knew she would have been done for.
Word Count: 662 | Post #3 |
|
|
|
Post by daKisha on Aug 11, 2018 21:10:26 GMT -6
Mohinder Under Kraken’s orders, Mohinder began to help roll up the sails, working the pulleys and ropes. The work was slow as the ropes were slick with rain and the sails were heavy and drenched, fighting against the wind. Mo gritted his teeth and willed his golden-orange teke to grip the line tighter, setting back his weight on his haunches. And if that wasn’t enough, he was suddenly made the princess babysitter. “ Give me a hand here, princess,” he grunted through his clenched teeth. “ We’ll make a sailor out of you yet." Together they were able to secure the sail. Cassandra helped hold the line as Mo made quick work of a hitch knot on one of the cleat horns around the base of the mast. He shook his head back to get the water off his face and gave the princess a rare, small smile. “ See, that wasn’t so bad.” But that smile quickly fell off his face as the scagrywr breached next to the ship with loud roar that blasted through his ear drums, and the world went eerily silent for a moment. A tentacle thicker than the largest of trees descended down on the deck. The warning Mo shouted to the princess was significantly muffled within his own ears, as if he was underwater. He willed his body react fast as time seemed to slow, muscles tensing and flexing as he surged forward, protectively pinning the princess against the mast. Just before the vast limb of the scag hit the deck, Mohinder was able to lash the rope of his harness in front of the princess and around one of the cleats at the foot of the mast. Even with his cloven hooves, Mo couldn’t brace against the impact and fell onto the deck. Several crates were hit, debris and splittering wood exploded across the deck. A piece flew towards his face and cut his left brow. But his harness held, pinning the princess quite snuggly against the mast. He lurched to his feet, releasing the tension on the harness rope and freeing the princess. Between his rain-soaked face and hot blood trickling from his wound, the vision in his left eye was currently blocked. But hearing was returning. The princess looked at his face with a note of concern in her green eyes. And then she was being dragged away by Captain Rhodes. The Captain had a wild, crazed look in her eyes that un-nerved Mo. Why was she taking the princess to her quarters instead of ordering the crew? For safe keeping perhaps. She was the Emissary after all. But the Kraken had advised that everyone stay on deck. And then neither of them were coming out. His sixth sense kicked in and a bitter taste began to fill his mouth. Something wasn’t right. Mohinder looked towards the Princess’s bodyguard, but he was too busy helping to steer the ship with his water manipulation. With a scowl, he determinedly moved through the crew and chaos towards the captain’s quarters, head hunkered down, shoulders square as he pushed into Rhodes’s office only to find it empty. Caught off guard, he hesitated for a moment before marching over to the door into Rhodes private quarters. The door was locked. Mohinder’s stomach twisted.
He jostled the handle and fiercely pounded on the door, roaring out the captain’s name. “ RHODESNA!” To his surprise, the door opened. Rhodes looked like she had instantly grown ten years older, face haggard. The eyes behind her tangled curls were heavy. And she was holding a daggar. Mo’s daggar. The one with a small chip in the hilt that he had given to the princess. The princess! Mohinder’s eyes darted around the room and fell upon the curtains and drapes angrily blowing around doors that were wide open to the balcony. “Princess!” He called out, dashing out to the balcony. No one. He whipped his head around to Rhodes, wiping the blood that was dripping into his eyes. “ What did you DO?!” Post: 5 | WC: 667 |
|
|
|
Post by posy-punch on Aug 25, 2018 19:20:36 GMT -6
Your plot is complete! Stay tuned for a wrap-up journal!20 AP and 20 CS to all participants!
|
|
:origin()/pre00/6298/th/pre/f/2017/288/c/3/rhodes_1_by_chipo_h0p3-dbqmt2m.png)
:origin()/pre00/e598/th/pre/f/2017/288/7/f/rhodes_2_by_chipo_h0p3-dbqmt2i.png)
:origin()/pre00/1059/th/pre/f/2017/288/5/7/rhodes_3_by_chipo_h0p3-dbqmt2b.png)