The days and weeks pass as you continue to sail toward your destination. It's not too terribly dull though as you find ways to pass the time. Newten appears to be much more fond of you now, following you around like a small chick. His awkward waddling draws a lot of laughter and joy from the crew, and he's become somewhat of a mascot for them.
You also spend some time with Ferrar and Leo, going over everything you can with the young blacksmith and teaching him what you know. There might not be a way to craft on the ship, but the fundamentals start stirring his imagination. He's also looking healthier every day, the fresh air and sunshine doing him well.
One memorable moment you had while at sea was something you spotted out on the water. It was dusk at the time, and you were relaxing on deck after a small dinner in the hold. In the distance was a raging storm, thunder and lightning waging war with one another. You could have sworn you saw the fluke of a large sea monster in the distance. It writhed and dipped into the churning water. When you told Et later she was beside herself, excited and sorry that she had missed seeing it too.
Finally, trepidatiously, you and your friends make it to the briny town of Lamprey Bay. The attack on the ship by the water elemental caused a decent amount of trouble. You ended up taking care of Etny, who fell and cracked her head against the floor of the hold.
Busy with mending her out of her concussion, you hadn't really seen much of your friend Atriox. If anything, you've noticed he's been absent for five days now, ever since you've docked. It seemed odd, and rumors from town told of sea monsters and attacks on citizens. There was a recent one the day you arrived...
You also begin feeling the temptations returning... The growling in your head fueling the bear. Etny wasn't wrong--you did end up finding land by the time of your second transformation on this trip. You keep an eye on the moon and figure you have about 24 hours before the change starts up again.
Etny senses it too. Resting with Newten on her lap, she watches you with a nervous smile. "About time again for all that, isn't it?" She chuckles a little, thinking back. "You still want to try staying here? Or would you rather go out for a hunt?"
Oredion chuckles dryly as he stands up. He takes a worried sideways glance at Etnys head wound before he speaks.
"I think it would be smart for me to leave the ship this time incase... I lose it a bit. Maybe it's best for you to stay this time and watch over the critters. I feel if I leave the ship and hunt during this next... transformation there's a higher chance of me losing it with a sense of hunt. I'd rather not hunt you again..."
Oredion thinks about how this might make Etny feel and changes his words slightly in hopes she'll listen.
"I'm not saying you cant go and enjoy the land with me, but when it gets about midday I'd like for you to go back to the ship... if that's ok with you Et."
Oredion walks over to Etny and picks up Newten playfully giving the growing fluffy owlbear a small hug. Joey quickly runs out of Oredions beard and retreats to atop his head to escape the owlbears hungry eyes. Joey flicks his tongue at the owlbear and puffs a small smoke circle at him teasingly.
There is a crestfallen look in Etny's eyes, but she seems comforted by your kind words.
"I understand, Oredion... You proved yourself well last time, but you are wise--a hunt could be different." She trails off, thinking as she watches you play with the owlbear.
"I know I'm not fully well yet either. But spending the morning with you sounds lovely." The huntress smiles warmly as she carefully sits upright.
"We can take the animals with us, let them stretch their legs a bit. It's hard being on a boat so long... Is that okay, Ore-alann?"
"Sounds peachy to me dear huntress. Shall we be on our way then."
Oredion bows and offers his hand trying not to laugh.
Etny can't help but let out a small giggle. "Yes, we shall." She takes Ore's hand and ruffles the owlbear with her other.
Gathering her things, along with a bag of jerky for the road, Etny follows Oredion out into the docks. Gaare is more than happy to get off the boat, fluffing her feathers indignantly.
"Would you like to travel through town or would you rather go to the wildlands now?"
She eyes her companion, the fishy docks a gaggle of noise. She jumps a bit as a bucket of eels tips over, lampreys sucking and biting against the warped wood.
Oredion laughs as Etny jumps. He picks an eel up and mockingly drops it and runs away wailing funnily. He tells over his shoulder as he gets to the beginning of the docks.
"Let's enjoy this day Et. How about a stroll threw town!"
She leaps back as the eel falls near her feet. "Oredionnnnn!" Etny tries not to laugh as she chases after him, pulling Gaare along behind her on a lead.
"Town sounds fine, away from the.... those things." She shivers and laughs at the same time.
You make your way up the blocks of Lamprey Bay. Women sweep their porches both by hand and with strange, magical instruments stocked with gust spells. It's definitely a more mundane use of magic than you're familiar with, and it feels extremely commonplace.
Several kids run by laughing and chasing each other with fishing poles, thwacking their friends on the back of the calves. Large barrels of fish are in front of every store, salt and grease caked on every window. It is definitely a more grungy sort of place to live, but has some kind of unique charm.
Etny has finally caught up with you and rubs your head teasingly. "Interesting town, isn't it?" She chuckles.
Now by the open air market you pass a tent near the entrance. It's cloaked in sheer material, an old, wrinkled woman sitting in the shade beneath it. Her voice carries like a mysterious waver on the air.
"Care to have your fortune read? Oredion the Bronze...?"
Your name leaves her lips with a small smile, her eyes hooded beneath a deep purple robe.
Oredion eyes widen in surprise and a smile forms in response. He walks over to the old women and takes a seat in front of her.
"Well if you know my name already I suppose I'll listen to more... Do I become a duck or turtle mam?"
Oredion laughs playfully as his own joke cracks him up. He quickly straightens up into a serious stance.
"Ahem. Sorry... jokes are a bit of my specialty... umm if you would be so kind I would like to hear your words on my future."
She smiles wide, her toothless grin a little unnerving. "Of course... but as your humor, your fate is also in your own hands."
With a flick of a wrist she lays out a large deck of cards on the table. They're richly decorated and a thick material, perhaps a hundred in all. A glint of her eyes lands on Etny who hovers behind you.
"Let your fate guide your hand, let it decree... which of these fortunes befit you, but... only three..."
(Roll a d100 3 different times and tell me the results)
(43,97,76)
"These will tell me more about you... and your fortunes in the past... present... and future."
She takes the cards you pick and places them face down in front of you, stacking the rest neatly together.
The first is flipped over.
It shows a picture of a glorious plated meal. "Feast..." Her grin widens. "Joy and festivity... Impressive but temporary gains... A wealthy and generous man..."
She hums to herself in curiosity. "Seems you've had good fortune thus far... have you not?"
Oredion looks over his shoulder at Etny and smiles as he turns back to the fortune teller.
"You could say that."
Etny blushes, turning her gaze away shyly. She felt quite fortunate herself.
The fortune teller nods as she touches the the second card, flipping it over.
A sundial, stark like cleaned bones.
"Time." She clicks her tongue. "Facing the inevitable... Change that you are powerless to fight... And... something important from your past."
Etny puts her hand on Ore's shoulder in a comforting manner, a little nervous at this sort of strange magic. She hasn't seen something like this before and as intriguing as it is, it's a little unnerving.
Oredion places his hand on Etnys comfortingly as he winks up at her.
"Nothing to worry about Et."
Oredion turns back to the fortune teller and nods for her to continue.
Etny relaxes, rubbing his shoulder tenderly. The fortune teller reaches forward her bony fingers again, nodding.
A bolt of lightning striking a boat at sea, churning in a storm.
"The Lightning Struck Ship..." She drums her fingers on the table. "A difficult journey ahead... A life-or-death struggle."
She points to the lightning. "And a sudden adversary."
"So another foe to face down the line, and I might die, or I might not... Thank you mam. I will take your fortunes to heart for the road ahead. How may I repay you?"
Oredions words to not betray his feelings as he thinks back to his dream and the monstrosity of his past. He feels his muscles tighten and tense as he takes a deep breath to try and calm his oncoming rage.
The woman looks up, her eyes stark and violet colored. It's strange to see someone else other than Etny with them.
She smiles her toothless grin again, and gestures for the huntress to come forward.
"As much as our fate is in our own hands.... it is also in the hands of those that accompany us... those are the closest to us..."
She leans forward, indicating for Etny to take a card from the deck being held out to her. She looks nervously at Oredion, then back to the deck.
(If you want Etny to draw the last card, you can roll a d100 for her...... We shall see what happens then xD)
(84 😮)
"At that point... you can pay me what you wish."
Etny swallows her nerves and draws the card.
(........Dude. xD I swear I'm not fudging this, these are the legit things you rolled, 100% real from a d100 list of fortunes. This is all you man. Yeet!)
Etny stares at the card in her hand, blinking. Quiet. She looks at Ore then back at what's in her hand.
"Here, child... let me see what fortune you have picked. What will befall your companion." The crone gestures for her to set it down.
She sets the card onto the table, slipping her fingers delicately off of it. You see a picture of a sunset, peaceful and serene.
"Oh... Well that's a surprise...." The old woman's expression softens.
"The Setting Sun – Rest and peaceful conclusions. The ending of a job or a task... A retired person." She smirks, tucking her wrinkled hands into the purple sleeves of her robe.
"Futures can change... it rides on a path as thin as a knife blade." She nods her wise head.
"But you are in a good way thus far, young ones. Blessed be your fateful journey."
Oredion smiles brightly as he takes Etnys hand in his own.
"See Et, if we continue on our path together and overcome any obstacles in our way... I believe a bright future awaits us and any family we gain by then!"
Oredion cheeks turn red on the realization of his last words. He quickly turns to the fortune teller changing the subject.
"Ahem.. As for you wise one. I hope this payment be to your liking."
Oredion let's go of Etnys hands and starts to rummage threw his travel bag. He pulls out a small bag of coins and some of his finest jerky.
The woman bows her hooded head low to the table as she accepts the bag. "Bless your hearts, young ones. Thank you for the dear gift. Come back any time."
She waves in a slow salutation. The owlbear fluffs up as it watches her, its eyes wide and dilated like a cat.
Etny blushes and turns away, shyly smiling as she continues to walk with you. "Well that was... really nice. I was a little nervous but honestly, it was good." She beams down at you, watching Joey play around on your shoulders and beard.
Oredion walks in a stiff manor as he salutes Etny and does a spin. He takes a bow and looks up at her from a bowed response. He begins to speak a forced accent.
"I'm gonna be honest here... that was by far the second most awkward thing I've done today."
Etny gets a sheepish grin on her face. "Oh really?" Her smile grows and she kneels down to look him in the eyes, inches from his nose. "And what was the most awkward thing, pray tell?"
Oredion stands up quickly and grabs etny by the waist and quickly leans her down.
"This."
He then proceeds to kiss her passionately.
Etny squeals loudly, completely taken by surprise and dropping Gaare's reins. Ending up liplocked with the dwarf she melts in his arms, a fit of giggles and passion.
A chorus of whistles, cat calls, hoots and hollers rings in around you but to little affect. The light in Etny's eyes distracts you like fireworks. She does something silly in return and, when you dare to part, she grabs your beard and pulls you in again to continue the affection.
"What now?" She snickers, taking a moment to breathe and giggle again. The crowd just laughs and moves on with their comings and goings.
Newten squawks with indignation and leaps up onto her head, pawing and clinging to her face to get between you both. She squeals and loses her grip, falling on her back.
"Newten! Calm down boy!" Her hair is a mess and she continues laughing, trying to pull the frustrated owlbear off.
Oredion laughs as helps Etny get away from the owlbear. He then proceeds to pick up Newten and pet his feathers down.
"I dont think this little guy likes are display of affection or the encore."
Oredion laughs as he extends his hand to hold Etnys.
"So shall we continue are little walk?"
Etny takes your hand gratefully while laughing. "Agreed on all accounts!"
Standing up and brushing herself off, you both continue your walk through the city. You visit some of the strange shops, their buildings old or made out of pieces of boats and ships.
You find an eclectic little magic shop full of toys for children. Etny buys you a wind up felldrake the same size as Joey, which the happy salamander chases around without abandon.
You pass on a candle store with products made from fish and eel oil, the thought only making your stomach turn. There is a bait and tackle stall where Etny gets a new supply of rope and trapping gear, along with things to fish with on the ship.
Near the end of the block is a small lively tavern, a sign painted with several different shades of flaking paint--it's as if the owner couldn't make up their mind on a name or style.
"Care for a drink?" She winks at Oredion and points to the door. "Could continue our antics afterward once we get back..." Etny snickers in an undertone and nudges Oredion, but then she remembers.
"Oh right... Perhaps just something light, since you'll be uh... A little busy tonight..." She shyly shrugs, trying to show she's not too nervous. You can tell she'll miss you though.
"Sadly I think I'll need all my sense later... no drinks for me today. If you want Et, you can enjoy yourself or there's always tomorrow.. Where we can continue are antics."
Oredion chuckles as he gives Etny a wink. He feels a shiver run down his spin that branches off and courses threw the rest of his body. He keeps his happy face on for Etny, but he knows he must leave soon.
Etny senses this and ties Gaare up outside to a post, picking up Newten off the Axebeak's back. "Well let me treat you to something sweet then? Before you go?"
She gives him a tender smile, tilting her head slightly. The food inside does smell better than down at the docks. "Then I can take your stuff back to the boat for you as well, along with the animals."
She grins, tugging your hand a little as she leads you in. The tavern is a ramshackle building with creaking boards and a reed thatched roof thick with salt. The walls are covered with obscure art and taxidermy. A sign inside says "Welcome to the Slippery Oar!"
A small woman rides up on a horse, decorated in the postal regalia. She hops off the animal with a light-hearted step, grabbing a large package tied to the saddlebag of her animal. Whistling a tune she heads in after you guys.
"Hello Gerald! You ordered another one I see?" She laughs, plopping the box on the counter. The bartender, an eccentric, portly man dressed in layered, colorful clothes of every shade bounces on his heels. He grins wide showing his yellowing teeth.
"Miss Selene! Thank ya for bringin' it!" He rips open the box and withdraws, with an exhale of admiration, a large dire boar head. "It’s the best one yet... What a beauty.” It's mounted with its front hoofs on a piece of wood, its fur dyed a strange shade of lilac.
Etny fights back tears of laughter and gives Ore a look, snickering. "I like this... Making fun memories together, huh?"
"Welcome! Welcome, yes come sit down!" He rubs his hands together enthusiastically, coming over to you both with the boar head under his arm. Etny raises an eyebrow, chuckling as she sets about 10 gold on the table.
He holds his hand out, "Wait! Wait, I know exactly what you'd like... I can read my customers like a book! 10 gold will get you the house special too!"
He bustles off, putting the head on a spot on his wall, and brings back a few plates. The first is a strange dish of tube-looking, jiggling meat. "Blubber Baked Barnacles! Local delicacy...." He winks, setting it down in front of her. Newten paws at it from Etny's arms, trying to reach it. Her expression is... priceless, to say the least.
In front of Ore he sets down mutton chops--which look rather decent, although you can see he's actually seared it in such a way that it looks like it has real “mutton chops” facial hair.
"And somethin' sweet for the sweethearts..." He laughs, setting down a bowl of what you can only assume is slivered onions cooked in a heavy honey syrup.
"Honestly surprised anyone would wanna come to Lamprey Bay at the moment... ha! Most people is tryin’ to leave." He belly laughs and Etny just glances at him and back to you, struggling between laughter, disgust and confusion.
Oredion silently beats the table holding in his laughter. He looks down to his pork chops chops and almost dies. He looks back to Etny and with great restraint mutters to her.
"I think.. the boar this came from had some serious pork chops!"
Oredion almost falls off his chair laughing heartedly. He looks to the bartender, Gerald, and gives him a thumbs ups between bits of laughter.
"I mean no disrespect, but you are an absolute genius with puns."
Oredion laughs a bit more before he sets in on his pork chops.
Gerald beams a wide smile, absolutely ecstatic as he laughs at your returned joke. "Ahhhh, a fellow who appreciates the finer art of high class humor!" He claps you on the back, "A kindred spirit! How fantastic! I hope you enjoy your meal, I never like to give my customers the... cold shoulder." He laughs again at his continued food jokes.
"SAY!" He gets excited, looking you over, "You're travelin' through aren't you?" He gets a gleam in his eye. He seems to be thinking, amused. “Yous wanting any information about this place? I'll tell yas what, I’ll give you all the information I got if you can best me in a battle of wits.”
You can hear some groans from the patrons in the tavern. This seems like a common thing, but he ignores them. “I’ve just been mighty bored is all and I think it’d make my day. Would you mind a riddle?”
"I'd love to his this riddle. I'm sure between my puntastic humor and my friend Etnys wits we can solve it!"
Oredion laughs as he continues to eat his food in eager wait for the game.
Newten grabs one of the jiggling meat pieces and scarfs it down, the jelly getting stuck around his beak like a dog eating peanut butter. Etny giggles at Oredion's enthusiasm, and the bartender rubs his hands together.
"I have two arms, but fingers none. I have two feet, but cannot run. I carry well, but I have found I carry best with my feet off the ground.” He smiles a toothy grin, his eyes bright. “What am I?”
Oredion leans forwards and cuts his thumb to his lips in a thinking manor. It takes him a few minutes until he raises his hand in triumph.
"A bird?
He laughs heartily. "“AWW YOU GOT IT! You fellas be much smarta than the folk that come round here!! Bless my heart!"
Gerald grabs a chair and spins it around backwards, planting himself down next to the table. "The fact that you made it 'ere is amazin' in and of itself. There have been sightings of sea monsters down in the bay. Every day there’s a new tale, and none’a the ships are itchin’ to get back out on the water. A few have already been lost, includin’ one big vessel out by the lighthouse. I think the Jade Lion? It was a fancy vessel, bunch of men went missin' includin' a merchant's son."
He leans back, thinking. "It’s been goin bad for a while now, but once that ship disappeared just the other day… tsk. Put a hault to everythin’ down by the docks. Funny how stuff like that really brings everythin’ to a standstill.”
Etny looks over at Oredion, her eyebrows raised. "Sounds like what hit us. We didn't see it though, but it sounded... big."
Gerald nods. "Old Cornish over there may know somefin or other, but he’s been out like a light for at least a half hour." He points to a white-haired old sailor, his face planted firmly on the table in front of him snoring away. There's several ales on the table around him, along with an unfinished meal of questionable design.
Oredion smiles as he stands up from the chair.
"Well as I see it, an adventure is calling my name. Right Et!"
Oredion chuckles and gives Gerald a nod before he walks over to the sleeping drunken sailor. He takes a seat across from the man and gives the table a hard thump to try an stir him awake.
Etny laughs, sliding the onions over to her while she watches Ore. They aren't half bad, but definitely not a dessert by any standard.
"W-WHA?? WHO DEH WAT!?" Cornish startles, knocking over a pair of the glasses. They tumble to the floor, heavy enough that they don't break. Some of the other patrons snicker but go back to what they're doing.
His dark, beady eyes take a moment to focus, and even then they're still fuzzy.
"Sorry bout that old chap. Didnt mean to give you a right scaring. I heard you had some kind of information about a monster round these parts? I'd like to hear what you've got to say."
Oredion leans down from his sitting position and picks up all of the knocked over mugs placing them back on the table carefully. He leans back up and rests one of his arms behind his head in a relaxed position.
He rubs his face with a hand, wiping the sleep from it. "Yeaaaaaaaah!" He lets out a loud yawn as he says the word. "Monsters! Damn right."
"Knocked over meh fishing vessel near the breaker..." Cornish lifts a mug, staring at the bottom of it and wishing for some more ale. "Saw a few things in the water, but one biggun. Same day they got the Lion. They went swimmin' back out to the lighthouse after they got me, and was leadin' it away. Disappeared right behind the darn thing."
"So if I go to the light house I'll find these creatures? I think I'm daring for another fight. Thank ye for the information. Next rounds on me bud."
Oredion gives the man a solid handshake before he stands up and heads back over to Etny and Gerald. The dwarf looks to Gerald with a fire in his eyes and smile on his face as he places down 5 coins on the bar.
"Next few rounds for that man are on me. I thinks hes well deserved it."
Oredion turns to Etny with a mischevios grin and holds out his hand.
"Think we have enough time for an adventure before nightfall. I'm ready to give these wee beasties the old one two!"
Etny chuckles and takes his hand. "Perhaps so... we can try our darnedest!"
She bows politely to Gerald, thanking him for the meal. The two of you head outside and back into the fading sunlight. It smells like rain, a crisp, dense fog rolling in. Etny looks a little concerned.
"I worry we spent too much time there, I'm sorry..." She unhooks Gaare, putting Newten atop her and stroking her feathers. "Do you want to try at first light? After.... tonight?" She flashes Oredion a small smile to reassure him.
"That might be for the best. A bit of rage transforming while in mid battle dosent sound... the best. Besides... I dont want to put you in more danger then I already do."
Oredion chuckles as he places his hand gently upon Etnys cheek.
"Now my love. I find it is time to split paths before it gets any later. I... do not know if I will be returning to the ship tonight or not... so please dont wait up."
He moves in close, still holding her cheek, and gives her a quick kiss. As he backs away he gives her a wink and wave goodbye as he sets off.
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