Bellandra smiled at the crew's gaming antics, although she herself did not take part in the card games and the snowball fight. She wondered about that lighthouse in the distance and the whisper she felt from there. Something related to the carver and his lost family? Or to her past on the ship that had sunk? She hoped it would be revealed in time. Meanwhile, if Devin and Grog'tial were still working on deciphering the forgeries she would be happy to help them.

She was surprised to see a snowman join the party, but in some sense she felt Frosty was a kindred spirit, being someone awakened to life from a scuplted form even it from snow and not wood. She waved at the snowy being.

While she observed the games, she placed an order for two heal potions from Aeshma, as it seemed getting wounded would become more likely in the adventures to come.

The dart contest piqued her interest and she decided to take part in it. She would try at least two strategies, whichever one seemed more likely based on Beckett's posture:

Firstly, if Woodkett's arms are exposed she would throw the first dart at Woodkett's hand, spinning him around (and maybe knocking actual Beckett's glass behind him and getting Beckett also to get up from his chair and turn towards it). She would then throw the second and third darts at Woodkett's behind.

Secondly, if she can move behind Woodkett and throw a dart at Woodkett's head or neck from the back without him seeing her she would do so, hoping Woodkett would spin around to look towards his back, and she would meanwhile run around toward the other side and throw the next darts from that direction to hit Woodkett's rear.

Before the Party
*Turn Ends 11:59PM UTC, 13 January 2025.*

In order (this post, not done by initiative but by timing and story): Clíodhna/Aeshma, BenKii, Count, Kyp, Bellandra, Grog'tial, Gilius, Devin, Aylar
-----

The unloading and return of Baldbeard's treasure was complete. Soon Captain Baldbeard's body would be brought aboard the Ship. Preparations for the Crew party with plenty of food and drink were underway, but Captain Baldbeard had elected to stay to reminisce with his old Crew rather than attend. Clíodhna delivered the messages the birds brought to Grog'tial and Devin, then checked over the vampirate mage's cabin before gathering the potions and some items to take with her to Aeshma's workshop for the healer witch to also look over.

Clíodhna places the box carefully on a work table as she watches Aeshma swaying and humming while distilling potions. "Looks like you're ready for the party tonight,"

"I have a dance with Captain BenKii," Aeshma replies. "He lost a practice round of darts to me," she says with a wink.

"As planned, no doubt." Clíodhna shakes her head. "And you wonder why you're not allowed in the competition?" As Aeshma giggles she asks, "You're not betrothed by chance, are you?"

"Lady of Winds, no! It's just a dance." Aeshma twirls lightly in place before decanting the double Heal potion into marked vials for Bellandra.

"Aeshma," Clíodhna sighs. "Remember what I said about twitterpating me Crew?"

"Twitterpating? Me? Look who's talking! What about you and Captain tall, red and dashing?" Aeshma stops and raises her brows at Clíodhna's almost stunned silence. "Or should I be saying tall, dark and charming?" she calls out as the door to her shop closes behind her friend's exit.

Captain BenKii: (roll dice*2)
So... you think to yourself after Aeshma wins the dart practice dare. She cheated. That is so pirate-like. And here I was going to purposely lose the competition to go to the dance anyway. You can tell Aeshma wasn't using her full power given what she did those snowballs yesterday. Still, you are quite impressed with her finesse and thank her for a good dart match.

"I look forward to our dance later," you say with a smile as another faint giggle reaches your ears and Aeshma's hair is ruffled by the faintest of breezes. You look around to see nothing there. You are starting to think that it may not be people. Some kind of magic? Or perhaps an invisible being? You've encountered mischievous invisible beings in the past, could that be at play here? You decide to ask Admiral Clíodhna about it before the festivities. Perhaps she will know more. At the very least you want to rule out a potential cloaked spy aboard.

You catch up with Admiral Clíodhna leaving Aeshma's shop later and pull her cautiously aside to ask her quietly. Her mood goes from flustered to amused as she regards you.

"She must really want that dance." Then she nods. "Very good, Captain BenKii. You are correct. Aeshma is an Aasimir white witch with an air attunement ... and a very mischievous air wisp elemental familiar. Please keep that to yourself. She uses it mainly to carry messages for us, to get invisible eyes into some places when needed ... and evidently to tease or to win a dance."

Count Karnstein:
You stand flabbergasted for a few seconds. Ask Aeshma what she wants? Does Clíodhna even know how the gifts work? This is the first time you've seen this sort of display of power coming from Clíodhna's new form, and while it makes a strong impression, it isn't the only revelation you've witnessed that night.

Throwing the bundle of clothes in the corner, you decide maybe you should check your book for what the beholders' stance is on love and relationships. You page past the introduction page which reminds you that beholders are intelligent and always observant weavers of cunning schemes who do not blunder blindly but always have fallback plans and positions. "Beholders change, refine, discard, and spin anew scores of such plans all the time. To the average beholder, human intrigues are the fumbling of babies." Ah, yes, Chapter 9 - Life Cycle & Reproduction. You read closely to find the beholder doesn't understand love at all. It's only relationship is with itself and one spawn that looks most like itself.

Beholders are genderless aliens, considered adults at the age of two years old, retain their vitality until 90 and often die of natural causes between the ages of 120 and 150 years. At some point usually around the age of 30 years an egg-shaped womb swells below the back of the beholder's tongue. This pregnancy causes extreme paranoia in the individual, until it gets so bad that the beholder has to secret itself away in its lair until it gives birth. Prior to this, the beholder consumes four times the amount of food it normally would to create a great enough reserve, as around four months of pregnancy, the womb swells to a size too large to fit any food in its mouth. After just shy of six months of pregnancy, the beholder gives birth. According to the rare witnesses, the beholder unhinges its jaw, spits up its womb and bites it off. The babies inside chew their way out. A beholder brood is typically three to six babies, but can be up to twelve The parent chooses one infant who looks most like itself to rear, and either eats or rejects the remainder, forcing any survivors to fend for themselves. Since the birth process involves the destruction of the womb, beholders only become pregnant and give birth once in their entire lives.

Occasionally a beholder, while sleeping, will warp reality with its subconscious mind and spawn a fully-grown beholder instantaneously out of nothing right where it sleeps. If it was dreaming about itself, it may create an exact duplicate of itself, otherwise it can spawn a beholder-kin or even a completely unique beholder-like creature. The same dreaming can result in bodily alterations for the beholder. Each orb possesses an instinctual knowledge of one's body, and dreaming alterations are without limit. The same applies to beholders and beholder-kin created through dreaming.

Kyp
You ask Aeshma if she can enhance your Teal/Dark Teal Spidersilk Jacket with a spell that allows for either better protection or better swimming.

"Your armor already has enhanced physical and magical protections worked in when Clíodhna did it. All the armors have it," she tells you. "I can do a charm for slightly better swimming speed by powering you through the water with air, but it will be more of a sprinting burst of speed and probably with bubbling behind you. It would be noisy underwater but could discourage and blind any creature following you. The charm would have two charges per day."

"Hmmm maybe I would want to try to enchant something else then... " you tell her. Instead you ask the Crew for ideas later at the mid-day meal.

"There be a port just beyond the Lighthouse once we cross into the Weirding Sea. It has many shops with strange and magical wares," Devin says. "And fashions," he mentions, with the barest hint of a smirk at Count. Then he looks at your fishing net you wrap as a belt. "Do ye use yer net for more than fishing? The admiral be good with all manner of weaves and threads and yer net be like a weave. Mayhaps M'Lady or Aeshma could enchant it somehow, perhaps to Charm or Sleep a creature within it? I've also heard mention that Aeshma may have a spell to turn someone into a frog," he comments nonchalantly.

Bellandra (roll dice*5)
While you don't partake of the casino games, you do smile at the Crew's gaming antics and the snowball fight afterwards. You are surprised to see a snowman join in, but you wave at him. In some sense you feel Frosty is a kindred spirit, a being awakened to life from a sculpted form, even if he be made of snow rather than wood. Frosty stops and waves back at you, only to be pelted with a large snowball by Rocky. Turning back, Frosty dumps a flurry of snow over Rocky, turning Gilius's beard and hair whiter.

Once Aeshma is done with the snowball fight, you place an order for 2 Heal Potions, thinking that it seems getting wounded could become more likely in the adventures to come.

The sun sets and you see the light flashes from the lighthouse more clearly in the falling dark. You wonder about that lighthouse in the distance, remembering the whisper you can somehow still feel coming so very faintly with those flashes. Could it be something related to the carver and his lost family? Or to your past on the ship that sank? Whatever it be, somehow you feel deep within that it be not hostile to you. "Bellandra ..." As you concentrate within the next long pulse you swear you hear the faintest echo of your name. In the following one you can feel a sense of pride in you. The third comes at you with a sense of purpose. You wait, but nothing more comes other than the regular heartbeat pulsing of light across the icy sea.

The day of the party and dart contest you see Devin and Grog'tial working together on the forgeries. Remembering the file Devin had found and given to you, you decide to join them and offer your help. Looking over what Grog'tial points out as a sign of this particular forger, you realize you've seen it before in the file. Not on all the papers, but you've seen the sign of that forger on the paper claiming the father, the captain the carver spoke of and the captain of your ship, was killed.

Grog'tial: (roll dice*3)
After Refyx delivers the verdict of it taking you 5-10 years to get good at making halfway decent bolts, you return dejectedly to your cabin. Of course the gnome can't be considered to be a trustworthy source, as he has the market cornered here and wouldn't want competition, yet there is likely to be some truth it would be more involved than you thought and somehow all the energy you felt at the idea of taking up a creative endeavor and becoming even more self-sufficient has fled. You turn to other tasks more befitting your skills to work off the disappointment and completely miss the snowball fight. Instead you pull out the communications from your network and go over them again. [Results coming in PM]

The following day you meet with Devin to look over the forged documents and point out some signs and marks that will help to identify that particular forger. Bellandra joins you to help. Looking closely you realize the same forger's marks that are on the papers you took from the vampirate office are also on a manifest sent to you by your operatives and on papers you saw in the Fortress where you first met Beckett. Devin points out the same mark on a falsified map and sea chart he found. You now have the marks to identify other forgeries used by Beckett's people, and to possibly trace the forger down.

Before the dart contest you order a Heal Potion from Aeshma, then return to Refyx and order a batch of regular bolts. Once they're delivered you ask Gilius to bless your unblessed regular and hard bolts, figuring that there will probably be plenty more enemies against whom the blessing will be beneficial.

Gilius:
When Grog'tial asks, you agree to bless his wooden bolts. "That service will cost you 2 pieces of 8," you say. Then after contemplating his face for a few seconds, "... Just kidding!" you add with a big grin.

Devin: (roll dice*3)
You return to your cabin, the dark of the moon Dream still haunting you. Outside in the hallway you hear Count Karnstein reeling off his overly dramatic spiel to your lady, and her answer.

When Kyp asks the Crew for ideas for enchantments at the mid-day meal you tell him about the port the Ship should reach just beyond the Lighthouse in the Weirding Sea. "It has many shops with strange and magical wares," you say. "And fashions," you can't help but mention with a hint of a smirk at Count. You also suggest that perhaps Kyp's net could be enchanted.

After the meal you sit with Grog'tial and Bellandra, to study and unravel the forged documents and charts. Grog'tial points out certain marks and Bellandra recognizes one as appearing on the documents you took from the safe containing the shipkin information as well as the black iron recipe used in the cursed gold bracelets and shackles.

Later you join Clíodhna and Captain Aylar to look over and compare the charts and maps found, looking for clues as to those misdirections and what they may reveal. You point out the marks Grog'tial noted earlier and show them how to recognize the forger used in Beckett's endeavors. However it also appears that Nerissa was trying to use Beckett for her own ends and wanted to conceal something from him as well. You point out two areas which appear to have coordinates which make no sense.

Aylar: (roll dice*5)
Before the party and dart competition you take time to go over the charts with Clíodhna and Devin, seeking out clues and information to further flesh out your own plotting. Devin points out the marks Grog'tial has identified as belonging to a forger Beckett uses. While you don't recognize these waters as being on any chart you've ever seen and aren't familiar with the Weirding Sea, there are still inconsistencies your experienced eyes spot. Devin points out two areas especially and you consult the chart you found in Nerissa's cabin. It is more detailed and shows several areas unrevealed on the others, but with strange markings on it. Your eye is drawn again to the lower left corner where a series of odd symbols are scattered along what look like fold lines and a pattern that resembles the captain's medallion.

Coming next: The Dart Contest ... (using your posts for some flavor writing for the contest and party).

The Dart Contest:
*Turn Ends 11:59PM UTC, 13 January 2025.*

Since Kyp posted to step up first, I've gone in reverse alphabetical order. For those who didn't post strategies, I've provided fanciful flavor and humorous fluff. Enjoy!

Argy has outdone herself as the tables are loaded down with various hot foods and plenty of hot drinks.

Woodkett is pacing in the dartboard, restrained to only the front 10% at first. Kyp decides to be the first one to try his hand at darts and steps up to the line raising a harpoon gun he brought from the deck. Woodkett's eyes grow large and worried. Shaking his head, Kyp puts aside the harpoon gun and comes back with the Trident instead then sets the dartboard to the 75% required and prepares his throw. Woodkett drops his jaw, then turns and runs. Kyp quickly passes the Trident to Argy and throws his three darts towards the target, using an overhand throw as if they were a true trident. The 19 and 71 misses, but the 37 scores in his right butt cheek, making Beckett suddenly jump out of his chair at the dinner, causing everyone to look.

Grog'tial saunters over to Woodkett, expecting to be recognized after all the fruitful practicing. He sets Woodkett's range to near-zero, and slowly holds each of his darts next to each of Woodkett's limbs and face, as if measuring. Woodkett begins to get nervous. Grog'tial tsks a few times while peering at Woodkett from up close. Then he wordlessly pulls the fire oil from his pocket, and eyes it critically, even taking a careful sniff. Woodkett's own nose twitches, but he can't smell. Next, Grog'tial pulls out the bag of caltrops and shakes it about about with a considering look. He turns his back on Woodkett, jiggling things about for a minute before returning the oil and bag to his pockets, carefully and clearly shielding the points of the darts from Woodkett's view. Turning back to fully look at Woodkett once more, he grins broadly, grants 100% motion, and jauntily strides back to the throwing line. Once there, he seems to pause in thought, before slightly reducing the granted movement to the 75% called for by the contest. He holds up the first dart, takes a deliberate sniff, and as his grin grows even broader, he gets ready to throw... and is suddenly tightly hugged by Argy, losing a good part of his balance.

"Good luck, matey. Ye'll need it!" She winks at him in a mischievous way and goes to her place, ready for her turn to throw the darts.

The look which spreads over Grog'tial's face isn't one which his face has any experience expressing. One look and Woodkett runs for his life, dodging wildly. Flustered, Grog'tial aims for the 50 of the bull's eye, but throws quite wide at 80, then 68, before taking a steadying breath and coming closer on the final throw, 56, which manages to stick Woodkett in the arm. At his dinner Commodore Beckett suddenly drops his fork, sending it clattering to the plate, splattering his uniform with gravy and embarrassing himself.

Gilius comes next. For a usually quiet druid he makes rather a loud deal about wanting to put Woodkett in front of a cannon. The rules, however, say that the dartboard cannot be moved from its position. Woodkett smirks back at Gilius with a pleased expression. That expression vanishes from his face and his jaw drops again as Gilius instead talks Durik into coming over and kneeling down, allowing Gilius to make a big show of aiming Dakka at Woodkett.

"Dakka need to eat 'im first," Durik says.

Woodkett gets over his shock and turns to dash for the side. Gilius throws his darts landing at 15, 66 and 88. He misses Woodkett, but drives him into running into the dartboard side so hard that it breaks his nose. At the dinner Beckett's nose begins to drip blood onto his pristine white cravat. Gilius thanks Durik and Dakka for their help.

Woodkett is brought back to the front as Durik steps back up to the line, praising Dakka and petting him. "Beckett bad, he hurt Durik' mum humie," Durik says, his usual calm face growing angry at the memory. "Beckett took Durik, took Dakka away, Pug died." Durik braces himself as if ready to have Dakka eat and fire. Woodkett shakes his head, as if to say it wasn't him, then gives up and runs. Durik throws the darts to land at 18, 85 and 92, missing but winding Woodkett from the run. At the dinner Beckett begins to breath heavily.

Count Karnstein focuses on Woodkett for a brief moment with his very best intense beholder look before aiming and throwing all three darts in a quick succession, one after another. They land at 16, 50 and 72, the middle throw hitting Woodkett in the ribs. Commodore Beckett inhales suddenly, almost choking on his food.

Captain BenKii steps up. He was told to find a way to get Beckett to jump out his chair by only using the darts but the rules didn't say anything about dipping the darts in something. He thought about dipping in some holy water but that probably wouldn't work since Beckett's not technically a demon even though he was evil. Fire oil was forbidden, didn't want to burn the Ship. Besides, that was too easy and had already been threatened. Then it hit him. Capsaicin! The active component of hot chili peppers. Even a minuscule amount could cause a severe burning sensation. BenKii goes to the kitchen and finds a sack of Hell's Reaper Peppers. Sounds good. BenKii takes one and pokes his 3 darts in. Now where to aim? It was supposed to be 'Pin the Tail', still it wouldn't hurt to threaten. BenKii pulls the darts from the pepper and aims low, watching Woodkett's eyes go wide as he covers himself with his hands. So BenKii shifts as if planning shot number 2, 24 millimeters to the left and then shot 3 aimed 31 millimeters to the right to tag both balls. Woodkett turns, still trying to cover himself as he breaks into a staggering dodging quick shuffle. Shot 3 sticks him right below the buttocks in the upper thigh very near his original aim. At the table Beckett jumps in his chair again, unable to stifle his sudden cry of pain and moans at the burn.

The dart contest piques Bellandra's interest and she decides to take part. Since she can't get behind the dartboard, she decides to throw the first dart at Woodkett's hand, hopefully spinning him around (and maybe knocking actual Beckett's glass behind him. thus getting Beckett also to get up from his chair and turn towards it). She plans to then throw the second and third darts at Woodkett's behind. The first dart at 44 scores Woodkett's wrist, causing Beckett to knock over his wine glass at the dinner table, staining the tablecloth and causing the guests on his right to leap from their own seats to avoid the spill as Beckett also jumps away. Her other two darts at 77 and 96 miss.

Aylar allows himself some additional enjoyment by faking out Woodkett, making him second guess the direction and timing of the throw. Let it be his own paranoia and misjudgement that brings mockery to his original, if he panics enough to turn tail and run, or dodge haplessly right into the line of fire. Using patience and guile, Aylar lets the moment build until Woodkett breaks and runs. The 62 and 74 miss, but drive Woodkett straight into the 39, nailing the left butt cheek and causing Beckett to leap up and overset his chair again. He trembles with rage, embarrassment and pain as the dinner guests stare and whisper.

Argy steps up to the line last with a big smile. It doesn't matter if Woodkett or Beckett look down on her size. She's brought down a man who thought he was a BBEG before. Calmly reaching into her pocket she brings out a cupcake, then another and another. Woodkett looks confused, like it's simply going to be a variation of pie in his face.

"Argy, ye be knowing Captain Aylar said Woodkett won't be able to recover from yer explosive cupcakes," Clíodhna says. "That batch was extra potent."

"Aye," Argy agrees. "I'm just showing ye all my new trick." With that the halfling cook starts to juggle the cupcakes and many of the Crew dive for the door and under the tables. Seeing that, Woodkett turns and dives prone for the dartboard's floor. With a big grin Argy slips the cupcakes back into her pocket and calmly darts Woodkett right in the ass, causing him to leap back upwards. At his dinner, Commodore Beckett doesn't understand why he is overwhelmed with such panic that it causes him to dive under the dinner table. He is pretending to grab for his napkin when another sudden pain in his behind makes him jump upward, banging into underside of the table and sending several fancy dishes crashing to the floor, not to mention knocking his wig off into the mess. His official dinner is completely ruined and will likely be talked about and whispered behind fans in all the upper echelons of society. Throwing his napkin down, Beckett turns and limps away, completely baffled at why he should suddenly smell fish heads.

Perfect Roll: 38. Argy wins! Congratulations! Argy chooses Gnome's Luck.
Tiebreaker: 2nd place goes to Aylar, Kyp gets 3rd place.

Prizes:
(Aylar) - Devin will give you the Best Dream Ever (No need to tell us what it is unless you want to); +10HP for the next day after the dream.
(Argy) - Refyx offers an alchemical potion of Gnome's Luck; +2 to Luck for 12 hours after drinking.
(Kyp) - Aeshma offers Aasimir's Blessing Talisman; +2 Resist/Against Evil for 12 hours after activating.
-----

The party continues with food and drink, while Devin and Kyp play music.

Captain BenKii: (roll dice*4)
At the party, you go over in your mind the different dances you've learned from the book. There's Tap Dancing. You'd seen Commander Data perform that dance aboard the Enterprise that one time, but you don't think that one is suitable for this instance. The Tango. Classic dance technique but perhaps too advanced. Pole dancing. Wait! What the heck was that doing in this book? No! You decide to let the music decide how you should dance. Like what Aeshma said, "It just needs you to feel the music and let it flow through and move you." And that is what you are going to do. You are gonna go totally Footloose on that dance floor. You approach Aeshma at the party and offer your hand, "May I have this next dance?"

Aeshma smiles as she breaks out into a slow moving belly dance style, causing you to drop your jaw. Her grin widens as she signals you to move your hips slowly around and about, then she begins to speed up, laughing merrily as the bells on her belt tinkle. You actually don't do too badly when she finally shows you a pavane, and then a waltz. You manage not only to keep up, but to avoid stepping on her toes.

As the party continues, Clíodhna silently leaves, braving the bitter cold in her thermals to go to the bow. Turning towards the Lighthouse she sends out a Call and waits, listening carefully. For a moment she almost swears she feels the faintest echo of an answer, but it's gone too quickly with the passing of Lighthouse's flash. She Calls again and waits. This time there is nothing. She sighs softly. Soon they will confront the Lighthouse and pass beyond into dangerous waters, only this time for the Ship's Heart, Captain and most of the Crew, it will be a strange and unfamiliar sea ... and there will not be the usual magic to protect them.

Argy will join the dancing and serve several rounds of rum and beer to celebrate her victory. She'll also invite Grog'tial to dance, just to tell him what an imbalanced dancer he is. (At this point, she won't probably have too much balance, either...)
For the prize, she'll choose the potion of gnome's luck.

Refyx congratulates Argy as he hands her a tiny vial with a clear golden potion within it.

Aylar, congratulations, you took second place in the tiebreaker. Please choose your prize of the 2 left.

To all, well played and well meddled with Beckett, be free to make merry while we still able.
For the prize, Aylar be taking the Dream then.

Once Aylar selects to take the dream, Aeshma approaches Kyp with a smile and hands him a small crystal angel talisman. She leans in and quietly whispers a word into his ear that will activate the talisman when he wishes to. Once Kyp activates it he will have +2 to Resisting Evil and +2 to all Offense against Evil for 12 hours.

Gilius thanks Durik for having lent Dakka and goes to congratulate the winners. When talking to Argy he comments : "Ye should 'ave been allowed to use kitchen knives rather than darts ! Nice throwing. Please be as precise when throwing yer cupcakes !"

When Aeshma is available, he will order her a sleep potion.

Then he will go on the deck to check and see how Frosty is doing.

Back in his own cabin, Devin reflected on the previous night and the Dreams. He had been very careful how he had worded things and what he allowed himself to feel. His lady would have detected any lie and while she would have expected his unease and some confusion, he dared not allow her empathy to feel his terror. His beast had been barely contained and the herbed wine had almost failed him. Only her presence had saved him. Dark of the Moon Dreams were always rough, but these had been stranger and more perplexing than others. He had never walked two Dreams in one session before. For it to happen now, so close to the Lighthouse, must be be a warning. Two Dreams, two paths, two Planes or realities? Both had featured a Sea Hag, strange creatures with tentacles and another underwater temple, but not a temple he had seen any reference to before. He and his lady had discussed it until dawn. Was it possible the enemy was trying for another fracturing of fate, reaching into the different Planes, or could it foreshadow a possible fracturing of the Crew? They agreed that his Lady of Stars would watch for shifting fates while he would stay alert to anything that hinted to an influencing of the Crew's subconscious, whether through dream, magic or otherwise. [Dreams per GM PM]

Devin considered the marks Grog'tial pointed out and Bellandra had recognized as part of the file he had stolen and given her. That file had come from the same safe as the shipkin files, several cursed gold shipment orders, the High Council order regarding the Ship and Cap'n B, and the black iron recipe. That morning his lady had delivered news to both himself and Grog'tial from their respective networks and he had come to respect Grog'tial's cunning and contacts.

"This same forger be involved in several high places it be seeming," Devin mused. "Grog'tial, if we can track down this forger between us, he may lead to others involved with the cursed gold and black iron. Those items have to be forged and magically Worked somewhere. Where'er that be, to forge the black iron those fires must be magical and extremely hot." [verified by GM]. He looks at Bellandra, then back to Grog'tial. "It could also lead us to where the shipkin be enslaved and back to where the admiral's physical form be held bound."

Later Devin sat with his lady and Captain Aylar as they looked over the charts and pointed out two areas which appeared to have coordinates which made no sense. He tried shuffling the coordinates to see if there be a code, then compared them to the rest of the chart's numbers. Many along certain lines did not make sense. Devin may not be a true sailor, but he came from Moonsea and be not unfamiliar with sea charts. These coordinates be impossible even for the Weirding Sea. Looking to his Lady of Stars he suddenly had an idea.

"M'Lady, be these notations star positions?" he asked. If anyone would know and recognize such t'would be her. "If so, be they coordinating to a time and place within the Weirding Sea whether marked or unmarked on this chart?"

Still thinking of his Dreams and the new information, Devin detoured and ordered a Weapon Oil of Frost from Refyx and 2 Cure Poison Potions from Aeshma before going back to his cabin to retrieve his lute for the party. One Cure Poison Potion he will donate to the loot chest for the Crew.

Devin smirked and chuckled at Woodkett's mishaps during the dart contest. He was sure he'd be most entertained in the reports of Beckett's evening and the gossip he might glean from the maids soon.

He nodded to Aylar as he selected the dream. This should prove interesting indeed.

[Devin contemplates his Dreams, goes over the forgeries with Grog'tial and Bellandra and studies the charts with his lady and Aylar. He orders a Weapon Oil of Frost and 2 Cure Poison Potions, one to be donated to the Crew loot chest, then attends the dart contest. He nods as Aylar selects the dream as his prize.]

Grog'tial grumbles a bit at not hitting his target, but this is swiftly forgotten as he watches with joy as Argy puts on her flawless performance. She really is amazing, he finds himself thinking afterward, beaming at her in delight, when she hits him with the invitation to dance.

"...erm. That'd... That'd be... erm, lovely, thank you... but I... I just remembered that I need to check something about those forgeries!"

Grog'tial hastily retreats back to his cabin, where he indeed takes out the forgeries, but somehow doesn't seem to be doing much more with them than shuffling them back and forth. It's a good thing he's already dealt with the messages from his network, including some instructions regarding Beckett which - if Woodkett's behavior is anything to go by - should turn out to be particularly effective, because his mind just doesn't seem to be capable of focusing right now.

The next day he'll visit Aeshma to order a potion of Fire Resistance.

'Whoa' BenKii thought, 'she's pretty good.'

BenKii continues to keep pace with Aeshma's dancing. If possible he'll try to signal to Devin and Kyp to play something a bit slower and more romantic so that the good Captain can perform a close romantic dance with Aeshma. The Captain did not want to initiate a kiss during the dance but rather he'd let his blue eyes do the talking looking into hers while dancing waiting for her to make the first move towards a kiss. After the festivities are over, he'll offer to walk her back to her cabin and remark to her before saying goodnight, "In all my years exploring the unknown, you are the most remarkable woman I've ever met. Kind, beautiful, talented. I'm kinda glad that my ship got stuck here otherwise I'd have never met you." If she invites him into her cabin, he will accept but remain a gentleman. He would only be going into her cabin for further conversation. If she kisses him, he'd return the kiss. If she says goodnight, then he will tip his hat and say goodnight as well before returning to his own cabin for the night.

Bellandra at first watched the dancing from afar, feeling unusually nervous. Her life so far had given her opportunities for interacting with people, and for battling them, but not for dancing. After the ship whose figurehead she had been had sunk she had taken refuge in a harbor town, but its taverns were rowdy places that were not really well suited for observing people dancing. She had seen plenty of carousing and drunken swaying certainly, but not so much real dancing.

Over time she had grown more self-conscious about her lack of skill, and had avoided situations where it would be needed. But now, amidst this crew, perhaps the time had come to try. She hoped that she could learn this skill without embarrassing herself overmuch. If she was carved from a dryad's tree, she hoped some of its grace could be seen in her movements, even if her skill did not yet match that of dryads and nymphs.

She reassured herself, "It must be just like fighting," she thought. "Except I be not trying to kill the other people. Aye, as long as no-one dies 'tis a victory." Steeling herself, she joined the others and haltingly tried to emulate their movements.

Devin sees Captain BenKii dancing with Aeshma and chuckles quietly as she tries to show him a style of belly dancing. BenKii signals them to play something a bit slower and more romantic. At first he ignores it, his eyes dancing with their own amusement as he watches Aeshma dance circles around the human captain. Eventually Devin takes pity and nods with a grin, changing to the slow stately pavane to give BenKii and the others a chance to catch their breath. After another rousing sea shanty for Argy, Devin signals Kyp and changes to a more romantic waltz.

He watches as Bellandra eyes the dancers. When he sees Bellandra join them, haltingly trying to emulate the steps, Devin slips his lute to his back and with a quick word to Kyp, goes to join in himself. He bows to Bellandra, then offers his hand. "'Tis not unlike sparring," he tells her quietly, remembering his delight with her talent and quickness every time he has had the chance to spar with her. "There be a reason they call swordplay dancing with a blade, and I have seen yer grace and style with bladework, beautiful one. Ye shall master this just as easily I be sure. Just watch me footwork as if we be sparring." With that Devin will show Bellandra the steps slowly at first, then pick up the pace to the rhythm. He has no doubt Bellandra will become as graceful a dancer as she has already proven to be wielding her cutlass.

The Party
*Turn Ends 11:59PM UTC, 14 January 2025.*

Due to RL demands, the Lighthouse pre-briefing will come tomorrow.

In order (this post, not done by initiative but by timing and story): Devin, Aylar, Gilius, Argy, Grog'tial, BenKii, Bellandra, Clíodhna
-----

Devin: (roll dice*3)
Back in your cabin, you reflect on the previous night and the Dreams. You'd been very careful how you'd worded things in your rendition of them, as well as what you allowed yourself to feel, knowing your lady would detect any lie. For while she would expect your unease, you dared not allow her empathy to feel your inner terror. Your herbed wine had almost failed you, your beast and the dark almost claiming you. Only her presence had saved you this time.

You knew the cost when you walked the dark of the moon paths and accepted challenge to retrieve her, but you had never had two Dreams in a single session and they had stretched your control almost beyond your limits. For it to happen now, so close to the Lighthouse, you figure must be be a warning. Two Dreams, two paths, two Planes or realities? Both had featured a Sea Hag, strange creatures with tentacles and an underwater temple, but not a temple you've seen any reference to before. Was it possible the enemy be trying for another fracturing of fate, or a fracturing of the Crew? Until you know more, you will be alert to anything that even hints of something trying to influence the Crew subconsciously while your Lady of Stars watches for any shifting of fates.

As you study the forgeries and Grog'tial points out the forger's marks, Bellandra recognizes those same marks were also in the file you had given her, a file that had come from the same safe as the shipkin files, several cursed gold shipment orders, the High Council order regarding the Ship and Cap'n B, and the black iron recipe.

"This same forger be involved in several high places it be seeming," you muse. "Grog'tial, if we can track down this forger between us, he may lead to others involved with the cursed gold and black iron. Those items have to be forged and magically Worked somewhere. Where'er that be, to forge the black iron those fires must be magical and extremely hot. It could also lead us to where the shipkin be enslaved and back to where the admiral's physical form be held bound."

Later, as you compare the fake sea charts you'd found in the vampirate cavern with the Ship's charts of the Weirding Sea and the one Captain Aylar found hidden in Nerissa's cabin, you point out two areas which appear to have coordinates which made no sense. Even shuffling the coordinates and comparing the chart's numbers does not help, and while you are not a true sailor, you are not unfamiliar with sea charts. Looking at your Lady of Stars you suddenly have an idea.

"M'Lady, be these notations star positions?" you ask. "If so, be they coordinating to a time and place within the Weirding Sea whether marked or unmarked on this chart?"

Clíodhna looks to where you are pointing and takes a moment to calculate in her head. "Aye," she says, then watches as Aylar spins and refolds the chart. Her eyes glow slightly as she smiles at what Aylar has revealed.

Still thinking of your Dreams and the new information, you order a Weapon Oil of Frost from Refyx and 2 Cure Poison Potions from Aeshma before going back to your cabin to retrieve your lute for the party. You donate 1 Cure Poison Potion to Crew Loot.

At the dart contest you chuckle at Woodkett's mishaps, looking forward to being entertained when you receive the reports of Beckett's evening and the gossip you'll glean from his maids soon. You nod to Aylar as he selects the Dream from you. This should prove interesting indeed.

Aylar: (roll dice*4)
Going over the sea charts in your cabin with Clíodhna and Devin. He points out the marks Grog'tial noted earlier, which seems to denote the main forger used in Beckett's endeavors. Nerissa may have had these faked up to fool Beckett, or for him to use to fool others. Either way, it is apparent that the charts retrieved from the vampirates are trying to hide something. Devin points out two areas on Nerissa's secreted chart where the coordinates seem impossible, then asks Clíodhna if they could be star positions instead.

[From PM] While they discuss that, you look closer at that chart you found in Nerissa's cabin, noting the lines and symbols, as well as the pattern of the medallion. Turning the chart, you fold it so that the marks by the lines match the order on the trinket. The two areas vanish as the symbols line up, revealing the outline of an island with a rugged coastline, a deep channel carved into it between dangerous reefs and the symbol for gold. What catches your eye, however, is the alteration to another coastline with a small temple overlooking the sea with a drawing of a siren, and a door with the symbol of a Sea Hag on it.

Calculating star positions in her head, Clíodhna has you refold the chart one more time, bringing together small star marks into a constellation, the Great Sea Serpent. She reaches over to take the medallion on the desk and spin it one more time. The symbols match up differently and between those on the medallion and those now brought together by the refolding of the chart, a third set of new coordinates are seen. These point to a place where nothing seems to be.

You congratulate the Crew after the dart contest. "Well played and well meddled with Beckett, be free to make merry while we still able." For your own prize you select the Dream from Devin.

Gilius:
You thank Durik for having lent Dakka and go to congratulate the winners. "Ye should 'ave been allowed to use kitchen knives rather than darts!" you exclaim to Argy. "Nice throwing. Please be as precise when throwing yer cupcakes!"

You slip Aeshma an order for a Sleep Potion before the dancing gets underway, then enjoy the festivities for a while before leaving to go check on Frosty.

Argy:
You won! You not only got Woodkett to turn and run, you put him on the floor and nailed his behind. For your prize you select the potion of Gnome's Luck. Refyx congratulates you with a big grin as he hands you a tiny vial with a clear golden potion within it.

At the party you serve several rounds of rum and beer to celebrate your victory in the dart contest. Nobody had known that you could juggle, then again nobody had really paid that close of attention to how well you've handled and juggled all the knives and eggs and chopped items in the galley either. Happily satisfied, you join the dancing, inviting Grog'tial to dance, just to be able to tell him what an imbalanced dancer he is. Then again, at that point you aren't completely balanced yourself ... and if you just happen to stumble into Grog'tial's arms for another hug while dancing, well you figure you can always blame it on the rum.

Grog'tial:
You grumble a bit at not hitting your target, but this is swiftly forgotten as you watch with joy as Argy puts on her flawless performance. She really is amazing, you find yourself thinking afterward, beaming at her in delight. Then she hits you with an invitation to dance.

"...erm. That'd... That'd be... erm, lovely, thank you... but I... I just remembered that I need to check something about those forgeries!"

You beat a hasty retreat back to your cabin, where you do take out the forgeries, but somehow don't seem to be able to do much more with them than shuffling them back and forth. It's a good thing you've already dealt with the messages from your network, including some instructions regarding Beckett which - if Woodkett's behavior is anything to go by - should turn out to be particularly effective, because your mind just doesn't seem to be capable of focusing right now.

The next day you make it a point to visit Aeshma and order a potion of Fire Resistance.

Captain BenKii: (roll dice*6)
Whoa you think to yourself, watching Aeshma dance. She's pretty good.

You manage to keep pace with her, even if only barely at times. You signal to to Devin and Kyp to play something a bit slower and more romantic. At first Devin rather blatantly ignores your signalling, amusement in his eyes. Eventually he nods with a grin and changes it to a pavane, a stately slow processional dance Aeshma is happy to instruct you in. Which gives you plenty of chance to slow down and talk, but isn't quite what you had in mind either. Finally after another rousing sea shanty the music changes again, this time to a more romantic waltz.

You don't want to initiate a kiss during the dance but let your blue eyes do the talking, looking into her silvery blue ones while dancing, waiting for her to make the first move towards a kiss. Unfortunately that is not to be. Instead Aeshma smiles at you and laughs in delight as you feel a slight breeze play with your hat. You manage to catch and straighten it before it is knocked off, another faint giggle sounding behind you as you catch sight of Aeshma's fingers making a shooing away motion.

After the festivities are over, you offer to walk her back to her cabin, but she goes to her shop instead to decant Devin's Cure Poison potions and start the preparation for Gilius's Sleep Potion. Before saying goodnight you remark, "In all my years exploring the unknown, you are the most remarkable woman I've ever met. Kind, beautiful, talented. I'm kinda glad that my ship got stuck here otherwise I'd have never met you."

"Thank you, Captain BenKii," she replies with a smile. "I greatly enjoyed the dance." She gives you a quick peck on the cheek before turning back to her duties.

Remaining the gentleman, you tip your hat (this time without any help from a playful breeze) and say goodnight before returning to your cabin for the night.

Bellandra (roll dice*2)
At first you watch the dancing from afar, feeling unusually nervous. In your life so far you have had opportunities to interact with people, and for battling them, but not for dancing. After the ship whose figurehead you had been had sunk, you took refuge in a harbor town, but its rowdy taverns were not well suited for dancing nor observing people doing such. Carousing you had seen plenty of, and drunken swaying certainly, but not so much real dancing.

Over time you've grown more self-conscious about your lack of skill, and avoided situations where it would be needed. But now, amidst this crew, perhaps the time has come to try. You hope you can learn this skill without embarrassing yourself overmuch. If you are truly carved from a dryad's tree, you hope some of its grace can be seen in your movements, even if your skill does not yet match that of dryads and nymphs.

It must be just like fighting, you think. Except I be not trying to kill the other people. Aye, as long as no-one dies 'tis a victory. Steeling yourself, you join the others, haltingly trying to emulate their movements.

Suddenly Devin stands in front of you, bowing before offering his hand. "'Tis not unlike sparring," he tells you quietly. "There be a reason they call swordplay dancing with a blade, and I have seen yer grace and style with bladework, beautiful one. Ye shall master this just as easily I be sure. Just watch me footwork as if we be sparring." Devin shows you the steps, slowly at first, then picks up the pace to the rhythm. He seems to have no doubt in your ability to dance, just as he has never doubted your ability with your cutlass.

It is not long before you see the patterns and your unique joints learn the steps and spins required and sync to the rhythm. You are indeed dancing and somewhere within you feel as if the dryad is smiling.
_____

Clíodhna is still standing at the bow when Gilius comes on deck to check on Frosty, who is delighting in the cold clear weather and talking with Cap'n Rummyfangs. Turning, Clíodhna smiles and beckons to him. "Come to challenge me to another snowball fight?" she asks Gilius as he joins her. Then she looks back to the lighthouse in the distance.

"It'll not be long now, Gilius," she says quietly. Her musical voice now carries only traces of the pirate accent. "Soon we'll be back in the Weirding Sea with all that be meaning. We'll find a way to restore your magic more fully, but meantime keep yer Quartz close so you can heal or purify. It may be going through the Lighthouse could increase its power. It may also increase the power in the crystals of your Ship's Staff. [GM dice roll] You'll be having to test both once we be on the other side." She turns to face him again. "But you came out to see Frosty, not me." She gives him a mischievous wink. "Don't stay out here in the cold so long that your hair and beard turn white again."

She leaves for her cabin, where she'll wait for Devin. It's the last night of the dark of the moon, the time of greatest risk should he be called to Dream. She recalls the previous night. Two Dreams in one session is unusual and she could tell he was shaken by it. Going over what he told her again in her thoughts, she takes one last glance at the stars. She hasn't seen an alteration of them, but there is something right on the edge of her perception. Could it possibly be Captain BenKii's ship? She did not know him before to read his fate in the stars, so she's unsure if it's been changed. Although his being welcomed by the Ship suggests it has been somehow.

Two Dreams, two paths Devin had said, and Aylar's Sea Hag involved in both, along with another strange undersea temple. After they see if Devin has any more Dreams or information tonight she'll brief Aylar. He'll definitely be interested in the Sea Hag. Meantime she'll keep a watch on the stars and Devin will be alert for any unnatural dream influences. Aylar's wards should keep out any infiltration of the Ship and will alert Aylar and herself the moment any aboard is so foolish as to plot with intent harm to any of the Crew, with the perpetrator hauled and tied into the rigging or hung from the yardarm no doubt. There be good reason the magic folk of the repair team had been so respectful and wary of those wards, even before Aylar had returned to fully charge and attune them. She smiles. Aylar had proved viciously creative with them.

The next morning brings brings the news of Commodore Beckett's rather scandalous dinner party, which is currently the gossip of that particular port. The news is shared with the Crew at breakfast so all can enjoy the results of their competition the previous evening. (As described in The Dart Contest post.) After a nice snack of fish, the birds take off again with Grog'tial's instructions to his network and an order from Devin. [per PMs]