Tales of Glory and Valour: the Seafarers Main RP Topic

[Ghid]

@Winterstorm345

As if sensing his fear, a single thin tentacle slid along the deck towards Dolphus. Seeking to entangle his leg, it moved towards him with predatory grace.

A convulsive shiver worked its way up his spine, seeing the tentacle approaching across the deck. In spite of its comparatively small size, it looked to Dolphus as if it was large enough to crush his whole body with the slightest effort, or throw him into the sun. An attempt to scoot himself backwards was abruptly cut off.

No. Alexis would be expecting more from me.

Steeling himself with reassuring coldness, Dolphus stood motionless, waiting for the tentacle to approach, for the moment it made contact…

…And another moment after that, because Dolphus briefly became paranoid that it could somehow see him, the sword shot downwards, in an attempt to skewer it to the deck.

[MakutaOisli]

@Winterstorm345

As the sea surrounded him in it’s crushing embrace, Mako got his first good look at the Thauin. Abnormally large for it’s kind, the beast was an impressive 25m in length. Most curiously however, it appeared to be chained up. Three massive iron chains stretched from the beast, anchoring it beneath the Caelin’s Hand.

Where the other ends went Mako could not see, as he went deeper and deeper. Soon all he could see were the 4 massive islands sitting at various distances from the ship. Except one of them wasn’t sitting, it floated, as if leisurely paddling along.

If Mako looked he might have seen the occasional massive limb as it pushed itself along, or the long powerful tail casually waving behind it. Disturbing the water in even, and strong currents. The beast turned it’s head to regard Mako as he fell.

A voice spoke in his head. “Welcome child of the sea

What happened to you? Mako asked, staring at the creature.

[Winterstorm345]

@Ghid

And another moment after that, because Dolphus briefly became paranoid that it could somehow see him, the sword shot downwards, in an attempt to skewer it to the deck.

The blade bit deep, but the tentacle evidently was tougher than it looked. Though the blade punched through the other side, so much momentum was lost it failed to bite into the deck.

The tentacle grabbed his left leg with surprising strength, the blade wedged in it ripping flesh as the musculature contracted.

@MakutaOisli

What happened to you? Mako asked, staring at the creature

“What do you mean?” It replied. “Do I look ill?” The Huge beast suddenly dived, it’s powerful limbs propelling it towards Mako. As it approached he could make out it’s features more clearly, it was a Dragon, albeit one adapted to living in the sea. It’s size was truly massive, as though it stopped a great distance from Mako, it filled his vision. “Did you perhaps expect more?”

[MakutaOisli]

@Winterstorm345

“What do you mean?” It replied. “Do I look ill?” The Huge beast suddenly dived, it’s powerful limbs propelling it towards Mako. As it approached he could make out it’s features more clearly, it was a Dragon, albeit one adapted to living in the sea. It’s size was truly massive, as though it stopped a great distance from Mako, it filled his vision. “Did you perhaps expect more?”

The chains. Why is the thauin chained to a ship? Mako asked, attempting to use his magic to create a pocket of air around him.

[Winterstorm345]

“That is of little concern to me.” The Dragon replied. Resting upon the bottom. “The machinations of humans are beyond my purview.” It noticed Mako’s attempts at magic. “Ah yes, I forgot about your need for air.”

Suddenly Mako felt the magic come far easier as the Dragon lended him it’s strength. An air pocket formed quickly around him.

“What are you doing down here?” It asked curiously.

[Ghid]

@Winterstorm345

The blade bit deep, but the tentacle evidently was tougher than it looked. Though the blade punched through the other side, so much momentum was lost it failed to bite into the deck.

The tunk noise from the impact of his blade hitting the deck instead of the satisfying feeling of slipping into the tough wood was both a wake-up call to the reality of the kind of pushing force Dolphus had in his possession, being someone who despised manual labor and barely went outside, and a wake-up call to the stupid situation he had just found himself in.

I’ve fought ruffians and drunk sailors and I decided to fight a giant squid with the strength to rip the ship apart. His heart thumped. And I decided to let it get within grabbing range.

@Winterstorm345

The tentacle grabbed his left leg with surprising strength, the blade wedged in it ripping flesh as the musculature contracted.

Dolphus’ eyes shot even further open as the sudden pressure of the tentacle gripping his leg, startling him enough to stagger him. He kicked his opposite leg out behind him to prevent his fall, but his blade slid easily back through the gash it had now created, and he stood, leaning back, hunched over the tentacle of this nautical monster, trying to decide what the heck he was going to do.

Do I stab it again? It already grabbed me; this thing could twist my leg off at the knee. Oh gosh it can twist my leg off at the knee what was I thinking this is the stupidest idea I’ve ever had what is wrong with me

[MakutaOisli]

@Winterstorm345

“That is of little concern to me.” The Dragon replied. Resting upon the bottom. “The machinations of humans are beyond my purview.” It noticed Mako’s attempts at magic. “Ah yes, I forgot about your need for air.”

Suddenly Mako felt the magic come far easier as the Dragon lended him it’s strength. An air pocket formed quickly around him.

“What are you doing down here?” It asked curiously

Thank you. I was flung by one of the thalins tentacles.

[Winterstorm345]

“Most curious.” The Dragon sat still for a moment. “I suppose you’d like to go back to your ship?” It tilted it’s head, examining him. “I seem to recall entrusting you with an important task.”

@Ghid

Do I stab it again? It already grabbed me; this thing could twist my leg off at the knee. Oh gosh it can twist my leg off at the knee what was I thinking this is the stupidest idea I’ve ever had what is wrong with me

His indecisive thoughts allowed the tentacle time to catch him off guard, suddenly yanking him towards the edge. The sea frothed wildly in that direction, as the head of the beast began to surface. Clearly intending Dolphus as a more substantial meal than the ghost sailors.

[MakutaOisli]

@Winterstorm345

“Most curious.” The Dragon sat still for a moment. “I suppose you’d like to go back to your ship?” It tilted it’s head, examining him. “I seem to recall entrusting you with an important task.”

I have a question. Just one. Do you know any reason for why he would leave?

[Ghid]

@Winterstorm345

His indecisive thoughts allowed the tentacle time to catch him off guard, suddenly yanking him towards the edge.

Dolphus’ vision swam for a moment as his head hit the deck, the sky blending into the sails and masts, with the cries of the sailors seeming more akin to the sharp cries of the seabirds. As the pain reared itself again and the world seemed to coalesce, Dolphus suddenly reached up and yanked his military cape back down, his eyes darting wildly in the hopes nobody saw anything.

@Winterstorm345

The sea frothed wildly in that direction, as the head of the beast began to surface.

The violent bubbling of sea foam and chopping of the waves against the ship brought Dolphus slightly back to reality. e was still of the opinion that, somehow, he could manage something to free himself from the situation he found himself in. Perhaps he could stab at-

No, then his cape would go back up and everyone would see the wing. perhaps he could catch it on the railing and somehow lever it in such a way that is that the head of the squid rising out of the water why is it doing that

@Winterstorm345

Clearly intending Dolphus as a more substantial meal than the ghost sailors.

Oh.

Oh.

As the massive eye of the squid slipped from beneath the water, Dolphus met the leviathan’s gaze with a look of cold-stricken terror, all the color washed from his face in an instant. The squid was beyond large enough to swallow him whole, and he was about to hit the railing.

What do I do what do I do what do I do what do I do It’s going to eat me I’m going to die I’m going to actually die I’m going to be devoured whole and it’s probably not all because of this stupid wing but it sure is convenient to blame things on

The rest of the boat seemed to dip out of existence, the cries of ghost sailors desperately fighting their own battles and getting stomped on by massive tentacles echoing into a chorus of pain. Destiny had finally come calling.

But would he give up?

His free leg hit the railing, but somehow he couldn’t find the strength to resist. It was almost hypnotic, staring death in the eye; a massive, unfeeling thing, thoughts barely beyond that of fish and sponges, yet knew how to smell for weakness.

[Winterstorm345]

@MakutaOisli

I have a question. Just one. Do you know any reason for why he would leave?

“Now that, is the correct line of questioning.” The Dragon said appreciatively. “Tell me, what do you know of the God of the Sea? What does he do?” The Guardian leaned down loser to Mako’s eye level.

The Dragon seemed to be enjoying the conversation.

---

Tharos stared in shock as the Port side ship seemed to be on a collision course with the Caelin’s Hand. When he looked closer he noticed alarmingly, the sailors weren’t in control of the vessel, it appeared to be being dragged towards them.

A horrifying idea occurred to Tharos as he glanced over at the starboard side and the leviathan surfaced there. Not even Ghalwyn he thought. Absentmindedly sending a blast of fire towards the squid.

---

Mariner was moving through the deck, cutting at tentacles. “I am master here beast! You will yield!” He shouted.

The Thauin Squid almost relinquished it’s grip on the ship, trying to pull away. Suddenly it shuddered as if in pain and renewed it’s assault.

His mind a whirlwind of rage, Mariner fought on, friend or foe meant little to him. There were only things to kill, and things in the way. Somewhere in the back of his head, a voice railed against this. This isn’t us, we don’t want it. He quashed it, now was not the time for weakness.

[MakutaOisli]

@Winterstorm345

“Now that, is the correct line of questioning.” The Dragon said appreciatively. “Tell me, what do you know of the God of the Sea? What does he do?” The Guardian leaned down loser to Mako’s eye level.

The Dragon seemed to be enjoying the conversation.

Well, he insures good crops, watches over life of the sea, protects that from storms, makes fishing bountiful, destroys ships, and can be unpredictable.

[Winterstorm345]

“Indeed” The Guardian said, “and can you think of any of those one might get tired of? One of those roles that might weigh heavily on the mind?”

[MakutaOisli]

@Winterstorm345

“Indeed” The Guardian said, “and can you think of any of those one might get tired of? One of those roles that might weigh heavily on the mind?

Destroying Ships?

[DuneToa]

@Winterstorm345

A Ghost sailor nearly ran into him on the stairs. “That thing is gonna tear the ship in half!” They yelled, “I’m grabbing the Phoenix Bolts!” The sailor sprinted down the stairs.

“What thing?!”
But the sailor was already past him, dashing down the hallway to wherever the Phoenix Bolts were kept. Karl started running up the stairs, loading his crossbow as he went.
What on earth is big enough to tear a ship in half? What is it-
He burst onto the deck and stopped.

@Winterstorm345

“CUT THEM, CUT THEM!” Mariner called running towards the starboard side. He gripped his sword with both hands, delivering a vicious slash, before going to dart to the next one. Not even pausing to check the damage as he went.

Further away, the Northern ships pulled away, trying to escape the wrath of the Thauin. Loosing shots into the squid from a safe distance.

Karl’s mouth opened in shock as he saw a massive group of tentacles trying to attach themselves to the Caelin’s Hand. Other members of the crew were busy slashing at the tentacles, trying to hack them apart. Meanwhile, a group of other ships were firing crossbow bolts and ballistae ammunition into the creature, though not entirely accurately. He finally made out Mariner in the confusion, leading the group that was attacking the tentacles directly. Then he saw someone else: Dolphus, wrapped in a thin tentacle, only just barely lifting…

Karl charged towards the creature, holstering his crossbow and drawing his sword. His only goal was to prevent the tentacle from rising higher.

[Ghid]

@Winterstorm345

The Thauin Squid almost relinquished it’s grip on the ship, trying to pull away. Suddenly it shuddered as if in pain and renewed it’s assault.

The brief shift in tone snapped Dolphus out of his reverie long enough for him to stamp his foot down on the railing, the tentacle yanking his leg with quite the amount of force. If i resist it for too long, it’ll rip it clean off. What am I going to do-

@Winterstorm345

A horrifying idea occurred to Tharos as he glanced over at the starboard side and the leviathan surfaced there. Not even Ghalwyn he thought. Absentmindedly sending a blast of fire towards the squid.

His eyes traveling, searching desperately for something to find rescuing in, were eager to latch onto the bright flash of fire magic being implemented almost casually against the monster. Magic. I hate…

…Wait, that’s it! A very brief smile spread across his face, as his young mind was not very experienced in carrying more than one train of thought seriously at a time, temporarily forgetting his serious peril in exchange for naive enthusiasm. It’s a sea-dwelling monster, it has no defense against fire. If enough people get flames going around the tentacles, it can be-

@DuneToa

Karl charged towards the creature, holstering his crossbow and drawing his sword. His only goal was to prevent the tentacle from rising higher.

And here comes Karl with the incredibly obvious (to Dolphus’ eager-to-accuse mind, anyhow) motive of killing him and blaming it on the squid.

Or worse, saving his life and holding that instance against him for the remainder of the incredibly long voyage which seemed to only get longer and longer, what with giant squids and stupid magic-traveling assassins appearing.

With that, Dolphus deliberately slipped over the railing.

[Winterstorm345]

“Perhaps, the god of the Sea was once mortal, that is why we require you to help. His mind is unknowable to us.”

The Guardian, looked up towards the ship. “For example, why the Thauin keeps grappling with the ship, despite the wounds it recieves.”

“There’s no easy answer to any of these questions. As with any question worth asking.”
The Dragon looked down at him. “Do you understand?”

@DuneToa

Karl charged towards the creature, holstering his crossbow and drawing his sword. His only goal was to prevent the tentacle from rising higher.

The Thauin sends a tentacle towards Karl, bearing down on him with the force of a charging aurochs. Teeth rippling on its surface, as it went after its prey. The tentacle was as large around as his torso, rippling with powerful muscle.

---

@Ghid

With that, Dolphus deliberately slipped over the railing.

Now unopposed, the tentacle shot straight into the air higher and higher into the air it took him. Until the ship appeared the size of a child’s toy.

---

Tharos’ eyes widened watching the Squid heft Dolphus into the air. Its great beak opening wide underneath of him, its gullet hungrily devouring the air in anticipation of its meal.

He had to do something, but what could he do that wouldn’t bring harm to Dolphus. Weighing his options, Tharos sent a blast of fire at the open beak. Hoping beyond hope Dolphus remained suspended before it had burned out.

It was at this point he realized Dolphus would still land in the middle of the ocean, even if the squid was felled. He had to think of a way to get him, but the only person who could survive out there was Mariner. He seemed to be quite preoccupied with his current task. Tharos steeled himself for a moment, as Mariner roughly shoved a sailor out of the way to hack a tentacle in two.

Then set out across the deck dodging through the chaos to reach him. “Mariner!” He shouted, flinching as the ancient warrior rounded him, sword ready. “DOLPHUS IS IN DANGER!” he screamed, backing up quickly.

Mariner stopped, looking down at the small mage, “What did you say?”

[Ghid]

@Winterstorm345

Now unopposed, the tentacle shot straight into the air.

Dolphus’ whitened face quick grew red as the blood rushed to his head, the seemingly flimsy tentacle proving significantly stronger than he had anticipated as it dragged him higher and higher into the air. The flat of his blade rattled against his forehead as it swung down, his fingers still pinching his military cape in place.

It’s a good thing I didn’t lose a Leg and have it replaced with a Bird Leg. That would be awful, and I have no idea how I would hide that. Or how I would expect this tentacle to stick something with feathers instead of fabric. Maybe it would just pull the feathers out? That’d be even worse.

Is it working? Am I not looking down? Oh no my head is moving oh gosh here it comes oh yikes

@Winterstorm345

Higher and higher into the air it took him. Until the ship appeared the size of a child’s toy.

His heart was about to creep out of his mouth. A scream tried to force its way out, but the muscles around his throat turned it into a gasping squeal. This, this was it. He was about to die. It would drop him, and he would hit the water, his head would split open, and that would be it.

This giant tentacle holding him hostage would release him from its unholy grip, sending him hurtling down to the water’s surface, where his neck would rip apart upon impact, and that would be the end.

This monstrous limb would free him from its grasp, escorting him downwards into the endless abyss below, where he would be broken in so many ways there wouldn’t be enough pieces left to fill a bottle.

So… Why didn’t he feel anything?

The world below him flattened out into a bizarre, moving canvas, the terror of depth perception lost, all fear for the moment being unhealthily blanketed under a cold and callous mask of Gorov steel. Turning his eyes back to the sky, Dolphus eyed the tentacle holding him hostage with an icy glare, the scene below him lost in the recesses of his mind, traumatic trenches dug into his psyche filled with whatever could fit in the gap.

It didn’t matter what happened.

Pulling the military cape into his mouth, he bit down to keep it in place as he reeled back with his sword and swung in a large arc at the massive tentacle holding him hostage above the world. Remember my sting, monster. If no one else can recall my being, live to remember how I hurt you.

[N01InParticular]

@Winterstorm345

Evidently, your inclusion was an unplanned necessity. If I had to guess, a necessity that came up after we’d passed out of contact range.” Mariner looks at him with head tilted. “You will be employed as a General Labourer, given your lack of naval experience. You will rove the ship and provide assistance where necessary.”

He thought for a moment. “Dolphus, please show Karl to an empty cabin. Then show him where the food is.”

Alexis sighed, this was going to be awful. Clearly Karl wasn’t willing to work with the crew, or was making the conscience effort to be as difficult as humanly possible.

nothing could prepare for the absolute chaos that would follow in the coming hours

@Atobe_Brick

BELLS

Alexis swore, and rushed towards the deck to take her position at the helm, whatever was happening she was certain that she’d somewhat competent skills… actually she was the only living person who could pilot the ship here. she should really give herself more credit.

@Winterstorm345

“BRACE” he yelled as he leaned against the mast, but the shots went low. So they seemed at least, the shots plunged into the water, right as a mass of tentacles burst towards the sky.

Alexis gripped the wheel of the helm tighter in her hands, desperately trying her hardest to keep the ship steady in some vain attempt to help the best she could in this situation. what did they expect her to do in this situation anyways?

@Winterstorm345

CUT THEM, CUT THEM!

oh…OH

Alexis fetched a nearby rope and set to work on tying the helm down. praying that it hold in while she…

while she…

oh gods, where’s dolphus?

@Winterstorm345

Now unopposed, the tentacle shot straight into the air higher and higher into the air it took him. Until the ship appeared the size of a child’s toy.

Alexis skidded down to the main deck, a fireball coming to life in her palms. she needed to get up there, he was already too high up. if the tentacle dropped him now… no she couldn’t bear the thought, in fact she was getting too ahead of herself

@Winterstorm345

DOLPHUS IS IN DANGER!” he screamed, backing up quickly.

Mariner stopped, looking down at the small mage, “What did you say?”

“You two wouldn’t know of anyway to get me up there would you?”

[Winterstorm345]

@N01InParticular

“You two wouldn’t know of anyway to get me up there would you?”

Mariner looked around as if realizing where he was for the first time. He followed Alexis’ gaze and felt his heart drop. “That’s a problem.”

Tharos’ mind raced. “I have an idea, I’ll open a portal you’ll go through, grab him and I’ll open another portal underneath you to get you back here. Wait a minute…”

@Ghid

Pulling the military cape into his mouth, he bit down to keep it in place as he reeled back with his sword and swung in a large arc at the massive tentacle holding him hostage above the world

Dolphus’ sword slashes straight through the now weakened tentacles. Freeing him from it’s grip, unfortunately he was still quite high in the air, he began to rapidly fall towards it’s mouth.

“That complicates things” Tharos groans.