Adventures of "The Aerandir" (CRP)

[Tuvoria]

	Captain's Log-- The Aerandir 30 June 1663 The last several days have seen quiet seas and little on the water besides us. We have made our way to the port of Verdilla. We shall dock here for a day or two to gather recent info and let the crew relax. When we leave here we shall set course towards the eastern tip of New Fulleria as we will be going on the hunt for any ship flying the colors of the Red Claws. The crew is ready and it is time to end this threat to the eastern waters. Tuvoria Ralathondor Captain of the Aerandir

[Tuvoria]

After a day of relaxing and fishing in Verdillian, Tuv and Jim had managed to also gather some key scouting intel from the local militia and fishermen's guild. The Aerandir set sail on the early morning tide and set course towards the far eastern end of New Fulleria. Tuv ordered the ships colors lowered and to raise the back up white sails. As he did so, he informed the crew that part of this mission/sailing was a hunting trip for the Red Claw raiding ships that had been harassing the area. He also informed them that this was why the upgrades to the ship and the training they underwent occurred. The crew respond in eagerness for the mission. Lookouts were posted in the Crow's Nest, Forward Bow point, and at the Aft ballista point. Shortly after lunch, nearing the 1pm hour, the lookouts call out that sails are on the horizon and headed this way. Tuv ordered the Bravia colors flag to be raised, and for Quinton to signal them to see what their intentions are. No response was given, other than them turning more towards the Aerandir and going to full sail. Tuv called the alarm to battle stations, and told Nicholas, the fore ballista gunner, to load his weapon and prepare to light it. Tuv then told Quinton to signal them again and see what their intentions are. Tuv and Jim were not surprised with Jamie, the lookout in the Crow's Nest, responded that they had gone to full sail and raised the Claw Banner. Tuv barked out command to raise the the Orange Blossom sails and for all catapult crews to prepare to load. He told Nicholas that as soon as they were in range and he had a clear shot, to launch a lighted round onto their foredeck. Then Tuv put a foot up on the deck railing and waited for the games to begin...

[Tuvoria]

As the distance narrowed between the two vessels, Tuv one more time had Quinton attempt to signal the other vessel as to their intentions. This time a response came back saying Drop your sails, surrender your vessel, and prepare to be boarded for violating the territorial waters of the Red Claw" Tuv chuckled as he said, Oh, really now. Tuv then gave orders for both the Port and Starboard catapult crews to make ready. He also gave the order for full sails and to prepare to come hard to Starboard. He then told Nicholas to light his Ballista arrow and fire. As soon as the arrow was away, Tuv yelled out Hard to Starboard. Port battery light your pitch and fire when you have a shot. Starboard battery prepare to light. Nicholas' arrow went through the forward Jib landing on the foredeck. A few screams could be heard. The Aerandir banked hard to the left and quickly three flaming balls of pitch where in the air. Not waiting to see the flight, Tuv called out Come about, hard to Port. Starboard battery light your pitch and fire when you have the shot. He then grabbed the railing as the Aerandir turned hard on itself doing an almost 180 degree turn. As the Starboard side came inline with the Red Claw Vessel, Tuv watched as the three flaming balls of pitch arced toward the Red Claws.Continue to come about he barked out, proud of his crew and vessel.Johnie, light the aft ballista and see if you can't put it in their rudder. Tuv heard Johnnie reply Aye,Aye Captain. With pleasure.
The Aerandir continued to make its turn circling back on the Red Claw vessel. Tuv was quite impressed with his men. The main mast was down, several fires were visible about the ship, and it appears that Johnnie's shot not only caught the rudder on fire, but that the ballista bolt had wedged itself in such a way that it was keeping the enemy vessel from turning. Tuv called out to Quinton to signal the enemy vessel, telling them to lower their collars and surrender. The answer that came back was rather rude and was telling the Aerandir to surrender. Tuv ordered the Aerandir to come to half sails and continue to turn. He also instructed the Port catapults to reload with flaming pitch. Shortly another volley of three flaming balls of pitch were in the air. All three struck true and it seemed as though Tuv spotted parts of the rudder wheel flying onto the main deck. The flames where now into all of the rigging and the sails were all fully engulfed in flames. As the Aerandir turned to bring her Starboard catapults into play, Tuv could see that another mast was falling onto the deck and several individuals were jumping into the sea. Tuv then ordered his men to stand down, go to full sail,and instructed Jim to make course for Fulleriam. He congratulated his crew and told them what happens to the crew of the Red Claws is now in the hands of the Mages, but that particular vessel won't be harrasing any other vessels again. Tuv then left his command spot to go amongst the crew and ensure everyone was good and to see if anyone needed anything after this brief encounter. When the crew was taken care off, Tuv headed off to find Wyl and see how she was doing. As he did so, he thought to himself, one down, many to go.

[Tuvoria]

The rest of the day and evening went on without any issue. The only thing any of the scouts spotted were a couple of dolphins playing in the waves and a few fishing boats that were also headed into Fullerium. After the ship had been docked, Tuv left Jim in charge as he headed into town and went to the magistrates office. There he informed them of the encounter with the Red Claw ship, and the full details of the encounter. He was provided sea charts and quickly pinpointed the area where the encounter took place. Tuv informed the officials that he plans to continue to hunt the Red Claws and they wished him and his crew the best of luck in helping them to take these vermin down. Tuv wished them good hunting as well. He then made his way back to the Aerandir to find Wyl and see about having a nice dinner in town.

[Tuvoria]

	Captain's Log -- The Aerandir --8 July 1663 Since sailing out of Fullerium things have been quiet. Besides the occasional whale or pod of dolphins, only the occasional fishing vessel was spotted. There were a few reports of possible Red Claw sightings, but nothing could be confirmed on this. The crew continues to improve and is constantly training and bettering themselves. Jim and I have agreed we shall sail onto Claroon, dock there for a few days to reload with fresh fruit and to allow the crew some downtime, before sailing across the northern coastal waters hunting for any Red Claw vessels. Captain Tuvoria Ralathondor Captain of the Aerandir

[Tuvoria]

	Captain's Log The Aerandir 20 July 1663 The journey continues as we hunt the Red Claws. We have sailed around the Horn of Eastern New Fulleria. We have not seen any sign of our prey over the last few days. We have heard some reports of possible inland sightings near Cyenea. We plan to make port there and investigate things. In talking with Jim, the plan is to send a small scouting party inland to visit some of the nearby locales, as the ship continues up the coast where both groups will regroup and make plans for where to head next. Tuvoria Ralathondor Captain of the Aerandir

[Tuvoria]

As Tuv, Wyl and their small band moved inland into Muria, rumors and rumblings about the group known as the Red Claws began to grow. The small band was enroute to the village of Amara, when they stumbled upon a group of the bandits attempting to pull off a roadway robbery. Tuv, Wyl, and a few members of the Aerandir began to engage the Red Claws. Surprise and training were on the side of the members of the Aerandir. Within a flash of an eye, three Red Claws lay dead or dying by the road. The remaining 6 members seeing that they were outmanned, decided to make a run for it. They split into to groups, one group heading towards Triene and the other in the general direction of New Fulleria. Without thinking the band from the Aerandir split into to attack squads. Wyl ran off after the two who went back east towards New Fulleria, as Tuv went after the larger group. Within minutes they find the trail and quickly spot the 4 thieves attempting to make a run for it. Tuv, Quinton, and Gabriel, who all have bows, let a volley of arrows fly. Tow of the Red Claws fall to the ground. The other two turn around and attempt to grab one of their fallen friends. They soon realize he his slowing them down and leave him to be and attempt to run into the woods only to stumble onto a large meadow with no real cover. The two Red Claws seeing that they had no cover, turn and rush towards Tuv and his small band. In no time, only one is left alive and he has been likely crippled, having had his right hamstring cut. Tuv props him up on a tree and begins to question him, gaining a bit of insight into the group. Tuv then grabs a piece of parchment and pens a quick note:

	Try as you wish Marcus, but we are coming for you. The land shall be returned to its rightful owners and the plague that began with your brother, Darius, shall be purged from the lands.

Tuv then ties the remaining Red Claw to the tree with his arms behind his back. He then takes the Red Claws dagger and placing the letter over the thigh of his prisoner, Tuv shoves the Red Claws dagger through the letter and into the Red Claw's thigh. "If you are alive when Marcus finds him, tell him I am coming for him. The Thunder who wanders the Seas has been awakened.
Tuv and his small band then secured the area, gathered up what was useful from the Red Claws and made their way back to the main road. Once on the road they met a band of warrior clerics heading towards Amara and points east. Tuv quickly penned a letter to his wife, Wyl, saying to regroup in Fiore. They agreed and wished him safe travels. Tuv smiled as he gathered up his crew and headed towards the northwest saying to them, The hunter is now the prey, and the prey, the hunter. Be alert my friends. The hunt has just begun.

[Wyllow]

She forgot how well at ease Tuvoria was when it came to commanding, whether it was on the ship or on the land. As they had sailed, she felt so at ease. To her, when they sailed, it was more like a vacation for her. She woke when she wanted, cooked when she wanted as well as lounged when she wanted. This trip around, her morning sickness was much much less.. though she still had a couple of days that were a struggle, but that was more to do with what she ate than the growing babe in her belly. She couldn't help it. She just enjoyed food right now. Most would for sure call those cravings.

As soon as they had docked and would be traveling over land, she knew that it wouldn't be like sailing. Travel over land was rougher even with their menagerie of animals and the troupe of people that made up their band. Her favorite part of travel was when in the evenings they camped along the roads... a fire was built and she got to see all of the people gathering around. Stories were told, laughs were had and the tension in the air, if there were any, disappeared. Bellies full and drink in hand, the people they surrounded themselves with turned from able-bodied men and women they needed into jokesters and entertainers. Laughter was good for the soul.. it was also good for bringing people together in the evenings.

She knew that there was business at hand that needed dealing with and that realization came further to light the following day when they happened upon what was clearly a robbery happening. On the road, people had to take care of each other. That also included strangers in need. With notice of our arrival, a skirmish broke out...

Before she knew it, her and a few others broke off from the main area as they were in pursuit of two rather large, but amble individuals. They ran as if there was something stronger happening.. as if their need to get away was imperative. Her axe flew through the air, but struck nothing but a log or tree. The arrows the others shot also missed their two fleeing targets. She was amazed at how quickly they darted through the treed area... Almost nimble like a fleeing deer.

Her breath caught up with her and she halted, leaning with her hands on her knees. They had given their all in their chase. The other two men that had followed to aid her also started talking about the escapees. Can you believe that? One stated, and the other agreed. Ive never seen anyone put on the heat like that..Let alone both of them??? What's going on here? She took to seconds to catch her breath. Something more is at work here. That was.... unnatural. She finally got out. Let's get back. Tuvoria is going to want to know that someone somewhere is using Magik. She then spun around to get her bearings, fearing they had come further than she had ever planned. It troubled her to know that these men, these minions of Red Claw had access to something like this.

Choosing a direction, she and the others head in what they thought was the direction they had come from.

[Tuvoria]

As Tuv and his group headed towards Fiore, there was a cautious tension in the air. The group could feel that something was off, but nothing manifested. Tuv had the group spread out in a V pattern just incase an attack would come. Nothing manifested, and after a few hours the group was in the village of Fiore. The locals here seemed a bit on edge and Tuv was a bit concerned. The group set up a defensive spot on the edge of town and waited, with baited breath, for Wyl and the others to rejoin them.

[Tuvoria]

It was getting on into the night as Tuv and his group camped outside of town. The feel of something off still lingered in the air. Tuv was taking the midnight watch, when something caught his attention. He could almost make out what appeared to be 4 beings attempting to sneak towards his encampment. He discretely laid down and signaled the others that an attack was likely to happen shortly. Everyone in Tuv's group grabbed their weapons and continued to lay in the grass, hoping to draw the the other group closer. Tuv, Connor, and Angus all had bows and were ready to fire when Tuv would give the order. Tuv could see that two of the group appeared to be possibly orc warriors and at least one had the appearance of a magic wielder. When the other group was about 100 yards off, Tuv's suspicion was confirmed. In fact there were 5 people in the band and two of them appeared to be magic wielders. Tuv gave the signal and almost immediately he, Connor, and Angus let arrows fly. Tuv's group apparently caught the other group off guard, however both parties were affected. Both magic welders appeared to be casting some type of fireball like spell. One of the magic wielders was hit in the head and chest by two of the arrows causing the fireball to explode on the caster and taking out one of the orcs with him. The other magic wielder was hit in the shoulder and stumbled backward, sending his ball of fire skyward as he fell back. The ball of fire acted as a flare illuminating the whole area. Tuv and his small group quickly closed the distance. The remaining orc and the figure in the back both turned and set off for the tree line, abandoning both magic wielders and the now dead orc. What caught Tuv's attention though, was that both the two fleeing figures shifted, or appeared to shift, in to dire wolves as they hit the edge of the fireball's illumination. Tuv immediately called his men to a halt and had them quickly behead the enemy combatants. He then informed his group to light torches and place them around the camp. He also assured them about the beheadings as these were were-creatures and this was the only way to ensure they would not come back. Tuv then set about searching the bodies that he could for any intel or items that might be of use to the crew of the Aerandir. As he tried to reassure his men, his mind was racing, especially in regard to Wyl and her true nature that none on the Aerandir were aware of. Sleep alluded Tuv for the rest of the night, and at daybreak he began to wake his men and prepare better defenses until Wyl and her group made it, hopefully without harm, to his location.