Game: Blades of Git'riban : Primal State

There is another trap door in this floor, and the female gith goes down There is the sound of a few voices, and soon another silver comes up. He is tall, a match in height even for Ii, and broad as well. He has an eyepatch, and the scar visible beyond its edges is not old, but likely incurred in the Incursion.

He introduces himself as Gish Lis. "The graith know me as Captain Silver, and my own men also address me as such these days. I command a small fleet from the packet ship Wind Dancer. What is it you want of me, knight?" The two githyanki grasp their swords by the blades, a traditional sign of peace, but there is a tension in the air.

The captains listen to Ya'shenn without comment. They look at each other when she is done, before they begin to speak.

"Queen's Necromancer Pale ... So, has he finally managed to pickle his brain?" Styrrn smirks.

"It sounds like he has his entire fleet," Raa-Shiis, a tall gith woman clad in red silks, strikes a more serious tone, "But none of Misk's sea-fleet. What is his purpose in this move?"

"Whatever his purpose, we need consider our actions now, as time is pressed. The choice is stay or sail, agree." Zjaa, the shorter and stronger battle-sister beside her quickly interjects.

All at once; "Agreed!"

Captain Silver speaks, "The Wind Dancer can race an Astral Brig, and could be at sea in an hour, should I give the order. If many of his ships are indeed loaded down, most of our boats could outrun the bulk of his fleet."

"Yes, leave." Ib'm scowls, "Let the town fill out this necromancer's levy. Yes, I've got plenty of cannon and blades once all the ships flee."

"Well, half the ships in my fleet are in dry dock at the moment." Shrugs Captain D'aynn, "Not that I wouldn't or couldn't leave 'em, but I'd just as soon stay put, and let this Pale ask me nicely." He twirls his (presumably unloaded) pistol.

Styrnn speaks, "I served alongside Pale a few times. Way back in the Moonsea campaign he was bit maniacal. Then they opened the black rift in Sembia, remember that? Insane with power, just what you wanted out of a Master Necromancer at the time, but even then nobody trusted him to command any living troops. Weird thing is, he was good at making alliances with the graith, well necromancers and wizards anyway. Point is, he's unpredictable, and I plan to board the fastest ship I can find and get scarce."

"Why should I run from a githyanki?" Raa-Shiis says proudly, "And what do I have to fear from life or death if my brothers and sisters stand with me?"

"As I called the court, I vote last." Zjaa states, "Pale may indeed overpower us assembled, but fighting us cannot be his goal. He wants to recruit us for some venture, I say let him tell us what he wants of us, and we will parlay. The vote stands at three to three assembled, nothing decided."

Ib'm looks about to boil over with consternation. As master of a graith port, honor dictates that her vote has to reflect that defending graith is second in consideration to protecting githyanki. She was obviously being sarcastic, but so it had to be, for she is still a good and honorable githyanki.

"As we stand undecided, who will change their vote?" Raa-Shiis demands. There is a long moment of silence before she speaks again. "Well? Will you force me to change mine? Come, who will change their vote?"

Styrrn; "No way sister, none of you has seen Pale in action, and I have. I don't want a part of this, no way, no how."

Ib'm looks like she's about to explode. Instead she makes some sort of low grumble that could be cursing.

Captain D'aynn points his pistol at an empty space (the mattress along the wall) and aims at an imaginary target. CLICK

Ya'shenn looks at the assembly, and notices that Captain Silver is studying her intently. They lock eyes for a moment, and before Raa-Shiis can speak a third time, he speaks up.

"Let us not forget our siblings already press-ganged by Pale. They may aid our cause, and we theirs'. Stay."

Ib'm looks like she wants to kiss him. Styrnn looks like he wants to punch him.

Ii's fears are confirmed, the wyvern is gone. Did Mist-of-the-Mind plant a suggestion for him to return to the fleet, or has he gone off hunting? She boards an astral skiff with Ya'shenn and the captains Zjaa and Raa-Shiis. A few minutes later, the wyvern is seen following their skiff. It has a large fish in its jaws. Raa-Shiis, who is piloting, slows, allowing the wyvern to catch up, and the other skiffs to fly on ahead. As Nah'Mizh'Aar approaches, they see that it is a shark he has caught.

Ya'shenn politely inquires about the graith. Zjaa replies nonchalantly, "Yes, we rely on the barbarians far more than may be due children of Gith. They are the ones who work our the ships, and in our fleet at least, make up the bulk of our warriors. The human is Panterra, an ally from the Incursion. She is perhaps one of the most honorable graith I have ever met. She swore to the commander who spared her life that she would serve the githyanki cause, so long as it was not against her homeland. She continues to honor this oath, to our benefit for the Swallow is her ship, and it is the fastest on the seas at full sail. She is also a powerful wizard, and her 'blade' has honed Warlock Raa-Shiis' own power.

*in githyanki, 'blade' may refer to any skill of a particular githyanki. A Psion might call her mind a 'blade' and a mage call magic their 'blade'. Githyanki also say that blades hone or sharpen one another, referring to daily practice at swordfighting and other arts.

The skiffs reach the Swallow, and the ship quickly begins to bustle. The githyankis' skiff hovers over the back poop deck. There is a ring of metal inside the bottom hatch that allows anything dropped to fall lightly to the ground. Zjaa relays her orders to the surface ships in their own little fleet consisting of the flagship, a two hundred foot clipper, and three corvettes. Raa-Shiis gives orders to the astral skiffs, fourteen of them circle in the air above the ships, as does the wyvern.

The human woman, Panterra, orders the Swallow's crew about. Zjaa and Raa-Shiis introduce Ya'shenn and Ii'jyka'vaar without referring to any titles. Panterra bows courteously low and allows them to leave first before returning to work. The githyanki stand generally out of the way on the back poop deck. There are about twenty githwarriors strewn about the ship. Some stand in the rigging, and a few even help the graith with the ropes, sails, and cannons.

Zjaa and Raa-Shiis take turns bringing their off-world guests up to speed. Though they never actually said they were from Sigil, it is evident in the conversation that they don't really know the situation in the Inner Sea. Zjaa is wiser, with a keen tactical sense. She is indoctrinated in the word of Gith, and often uses quotes and phrases from the Liberator to back up a point. Raa-Shiis is highly intelligent but proud. She makes it her business to know everyone and their strengths and weaknesses.

The Pirate Isles of the Sea of Fallen Stars were targeted after the githyanki had already invaded Procampur, The Vast, and the 'Merchant Kingdom' of Sembia. Their flying astral ships were already greatly feared by every seaman. They swept the isles, but not before a message was sent "Only ships on a westward course will be left alone. All others, and all towns, will be be burned." The graith got the message, and so Westgate and the Dragon Coast was invaded first by an armada of cutthroats and thieves before the githyanki invasion force arrived. In the wake of the Incursion, there were more trapped githyanki than astral ships to hold them all. The navies of conquered lands and the swiftest captured ships were forged into several independent fleets under githyanki captains. Their githwarrior 'marines' ensure compliance of their graith crews and victory in battle.

The Silver Fleet is known for its 'marines', for the Silver Knives are trained specialists at neutralizing other spellcasters. They are also extremely well equipped, with heirloom blades and items.

D'aynn's Thunder Fleet has a great deal of weaponry. His 88-gun warship is not THE most well-armed on the sea, but it ranks, and strikes a balance between firepower and speed. His support ships are mostly frigates, fairly well armed and fairly fast naval ships. Some of his crews came with their respective ships, and know how to work their vessels and their cannon expertly.

Styrrn commands a small and ever-shifting flotilla of some of the most villainous scum on the sea. He hasn't many githyanki marines, but is himself a superb bladesman. He has probably killed more graith in one-on-one duels than all the other captains combined, and it is thus how he maintains control of the barbarians.

Their own fleet is known as the Swift Birds, and has the most astral skiffs of those present. The others have three each, except Styrrn who has only one.

There are other fleets on the sea, of course, over a dozen in total. The most famous are the Void Walkers, a mixed-band order of psions and psi-warriors who are all versed in the arts of teleportation. They have a small fleet of fast sloops and cutters with several skiffs and a pair of astral brigs. Also large and well-known is the Golden Armada, which boasts a number of large naval vessels that would put D'aynn's Thunder Dragon to shame (but which couldn't catch it in a race).

Collectively, they prey on shipping and on non-allied graith pirates, of which there are increasingly more and more. Still, the githyanki armadas rule the sea, especially trade to the west and north. There are many places to hide in the Pirate Isles, but the major ports are all githyanki controlled. Indeed there are also still fleets of flying astral ships manned by githyanki alone operating out of the Isle of the Dragon, the largest of the Pirate Isles.

To the north, past the Dragon Reach and the river Lis, into the Moonsea, is the graith city of Mulmaster. The Mulmasterite navy controls the Moonsea, though the western parts are now contested. Mulmaster still welcomes trade with the githyanki fleets.

To the west are the Dragon Coast and the nations of Sembia and Cormyr. The Dragon Coast is a lawless region, whose major port city, Westgate, welcomes githyanki and pirate trade. Westgate's streets are not considered safe. A day's sail away is the southern Sembian port of Urmlaspyr. Its streets are far more empty, but also more dangerous in their own way. In addition to the seamen and cutthroats down by the docks, graith street gangs sake claim to the alleys and the sewers underneath. The githyanki here reside among the stone buildings formerly inhabited by the wealthy graith atop a low ridge. The seaward end of this ridge has battlements referred to as Urmlaspyr Keep, and this is the center of githyanki activity in the city. Northern Sembia is now free, though they haven't yet an army to take the cities of the south, Urmlaspyr and the inland city of Daerlun, back from the githyanki. Cormyr, however, does. The githyanki fleets control Sembian coasts, and have bottled up the Cormyran navy. Cormyr, however, never was conquered in the Incursion. It was laid siege, and the eastern portions were invaded using mostly conscripted graith armies, but the Purple Dragons, Cormyr's elite army, has recently taken back most of their territory and stands ready to push into southern Sembia.

Githyanki activity in the south of Faerun remains mostly a mystery to the githyanki captains here. Master Pale and his Ascendancy followers were living among a growing graith empire between Amn and Tethyr. There are also fleets in the great ocean commanded by Master Gish Misk.

Activities in the underdark enclaves of Gatcherof and Kuragolomsh also remain mysteries, though not entirely so. The githyani have uncovered a number of portal neworks, which seem extraordinarily common on this world.

Pale's Fleet

Ar'dru knows something is up. He is no fool. His body is a powerful weapon, but so is his mind. He notices things. The command staff is sharing some secret plan against Pale, he is convinced, and he is NOT just being paranoid.

[Where Ar'dru is in an hour is important. DM is assuming he's aboard the Lantern, Pale's ship that was 'given' to Kirath's warriors.]

Kirath, in Pale's flagship, is able to glean the goings on of much of the fleet. The third planar raider, the Foreboding Sky is loaded with the enbalmed and processed graith. Kirath is only one deck above Pale and his necromancers, and hears much. The phrase "room for fifty more" is used. The bodies of the wild animals and graith herds and horses were loaded onto certain brigs, his own brigs included. Brigs begin docking with the Moonless Night, and Pale is busy sorting through the flesh of the Shining plains.

Pale knows Ii is missing. Kirath is nearby when it is reported to Ahl'zet that the wyvern-rider took a passenger and flew away at great speed. He sends a swordwraith below to deliver the message. Kirath does not know the Master Necromancer's reaction, because Pale has not been seen on his command deck since he ordered Kirath to stay. Pale is extremely busy below, now 'processing' the livestock and game. The horses aboard Kirath's brigs are thusfar left alone. Instead, the pilots are ordered to fly high in the cold air, to preserve the horses' flesh.

The details of what is going on down on the lower deck remain mysterious, as Kirath has no desire to witness them [EvilDM says "Unless you want to"]

[He doesn't HAVE to turn invisible, you know. He can just go down there if he wants. There's also a chance someone will notice. You decide, (change yr post if you change yr mind) but the description won't really change much either way, since Pale is too busy to bother with Kirath so long as he stays out of the way.]

Raa-Shiis is standing near Ii. She smiles, "The graith firearms vary greatly in quality. Most are too unreliable for my taste, compared to a wand, but if you want I'll keep my eye out for a good one for you. Really, the one to talk to is Captain D'aynn, for he loves anything with gunpowder. As for other items, you might find something in Starmantle or more likely in the fleets, once we are through this. "

Starmantle, dawn. A thin fog begins to roll in, hugging the water, and making the calm waters of the bay seem like their made of cloud. The sky is pale, the stars fading with the mounting light. Against the mist, the dark hulls of the ships are visible as they slide out into the bay or remain fast at anchor.

The first scouts of Pale's forces begin to arrive. Some orbit the town, then double back over the forested hills. Others turn and go up and down the coastline a few miles before returning. Less than half an hour later, the main force arrives. They hover over the town, but no attempt at contact is made at first.

Then, a figure appears on the bow of the planar raider Moonless Night. The raspy, half-whisper that is the voice of Master Pale rings out over the bay, magically amplified.

"Children of Gith! I am the Queen's Necromancer, Master Pale. My fleet will make port here for three days to resupply. On sundown the day after tomorrow, I will set course for the city of Urmlaspyr in Sembia, and all loyal githyanki will accompany me. We go to the aid of our brothers and sisters who are in great peril! Prepare for the journey, and for battle when we arrive. Every able graith blade should also be transported thus."

"But make no mistake, any ship that tries to leave before this will be assumed piloted by disloyal graith and traitors, and sent to the bottom. I will then make those aboard WALK to Urmlaspyr."

"I also require of the graith fifty of their number. These need not be of fighting caliber; women, children and aged will suffice. The details of how they are chosen are unimportant to me."

There is a pause, as if Pale is considering what Raa-Shiis has said. Then Pale's voice rings out over the bay again, "My decree is made. Let no one leave to spread word of our destination. We set course for Urmlaspyr in three days, and all loyal children of Gith will muster."

Pale's Fleet

Master Pale stood out on the nose of his flagship. There, a circle was drawn, cut into the metal on a flat spot in front of the main front hatch. A single command word caused it to light up, and reveal a pair of concentric circles with arcane runes in between. Kirath, watching from just inside[*] understands their purpose, to carry his voice to all within a mile. He wonders how it would interact with a sonic-based spell cast within the circles.

Pale addresses Starmantle, and reveals his intentions. He stands still a moment, looking ahead, as if someone were standing in front of him, before making his final statement and turning to come back inside.

"Ahl'zet, Zvar'tz, continue scout patrols. I don't want anyone who knows our destination leaving this area by land, sea, or air. Bring them before me, alive if gith, but I don't care what state any barbarians are in.

"Kith'rak Mal, organize our resupply. Each living githyanki will have a swordwraith bodyguard while in town.

"Kirath ... Your ships will begin transferring the horses here at dusk. You will transfer your troops and relinquish the Lantern once the operation in complete."

"I expect you all to be ready three days hence."

His orders given, he goes back below and returns to work.

[DM: Pale's orders for Kirath were to stay put "until we reach Starmantle", so he can do whatever he wants, now.]

[* There is a ballista emplacement just inside this hatch (which is large, about 10' diameter). It wasn't loaded, much to Kirath's disappointment, since Pale was standing right in front of it.]

Pale''s Fleet

Behind his bandages, Pale's face contorts. He looks at Kirath with a look of utter hatred. He looks for a moment like he wants to strike the short warlock. But then his left eye begins to twitch. He winces, and his hand instead goes to his own temple.

Pale growls quietly " ... I guess I'd have to ... " He storms past, and goes back to his grim work below.

Pirate Fleets

Raa-Shiis turns to Ii'jyka'vaar and Ya'shenn, "Well, that went much better than expected. Each side has made their ultimatums, we'll see who twitches first."

Zjaa shakes her head in response. "Some fool graith are bound to try to slip out at night, or pick a fight with some of Pale's men."

The Warlock smiles "Should we encourage this? Keep some pressure on them ... "

"Such strategies can be discussed in a little while, sister." Zjaa replies "For now you should relay to the other Captains that little has changed. We await possible attack, get into defensive formation. Styrrn and D'aynn now have three days to get their ships in order."

Raa-Shiis does so, one scroll for each.

"Come below, sisters. You are our guests." Zjaa speaks warmly to Ya'shenn and Ii, "Or return to your fellows, if you wish."

Ii's wyvern is flying about the bay, banking around the masts of ships like he was on an obstacle course. He periodically returns to circle Swallow but seems to be enjoying himself. Ii can only imagine what his life must have been like in Hlondeth. Here, his only chains are his reins. They hang from piercings in his horns like jewelry.

[DM - due to the masts and lines, the wyvern can't really land on the ship. He could cling to the stern, in order to pick up or drop off passengers.]

[DM also making post ex facto change. The wyvern's saddle is actually built for 2. Rider and bowman. The bowman had already been shot off when Ii and Du'minh jumped on the wyvern. So, taking a passenger is no problem, and if Ii wants to instead carry some gear on the wyvern, there's space to stow it.]

Aboard the Swallow

The human mage approaches Raa-Shiis and bows "I thank you for you words, for you know my mind, si ... " She pauses and gives a quick glance at I'jyka'vaar and Ya'shenn, " ... Captain."

"You make up your own mind, like any being, Captain." Raa-Shiis replies, "And live or die by the consequences of your choices."

Zjaa interjects, "Panterra, would you move the ship to the waters off of Islet Tower? We can run supplies and communications with the flying skiffs and the secondary ships."

Raa-Shiis and Zjaa grab the case of message scrolls and carry it below. There is a steep stair in the middle of the poop deck on which they are all standing. It leads to a small hold with several doors. Two lead to rooms in the very stern of the ship with windows revealing a wide panorama. The Captains stow the chest in the right one, obviously Raa-Shiis' chamber for it is filled with esoterica befitting a mage. It is also hung with silks and tapestries, and has many other luxuries including a cabinet of alcoholic spirits. The left chamber is Zjaa's, and it is far more spartan. Blades hang on the walls, and there is a hammock and a few pieces of furniture and a table, but though the same total space, seems far roomier than Raa's room. It is here that Ii and Ya'shenn are invited.

Ii inquires about items, and Raa-Shiis seems interested in helping.. She is a dealer in magic items, of sorts, being a pirate and a mage. "Starmantle is a trading hub, not as big as Westgate, but still, we may be able to find what you are looking for, between the town itself and the fleets here." Indeed it was to unload some booty that we are here ourselves."