23 Dripor 10721
Played on July 5, 2019
As a few traces of light streamed into the damp dark cell we were kept in, we could hear the sound of distant screaming and bones crunching. The sound was sickening, I was too groggy to fully take in all of our surroundings. What did become apparent is that there was a Lizardfolk eating, what appeared to be, another person in another of the cages - though that person also appeared to be dead so it was clearly not where the screams were coming from. There was also a large form in another cage, but it appeared as still as the grave.
In our cell were three others that informed us just what had happened and where we were. In the dungeonous cavern that was the Leviathan’s holding cells. We had also been stripped of all but the clothes on our backs, which felt more invasive than it really should have been. Severin was also given back the journal he covets, which may prove to be detrimental because who knows what Byron Caine and his crew learned from his writings.
After what felt like hours, Sibim “The Shadow” Nur came to collect us. In chains we were led through the ship, those distant screams growing ever louder and more familiar until we were finally brought before Caine himself. There splayed before him, was the bloody mess and source of all of those screams we had heard, Jedek. It took everything I had not to be sick, not to attempt something stupid to get him out of here, but without any of my gear, I knew it would be a futile effort.
Caine addressed us without feeling the need to turn around, still carving into poor Jedek. He asked us who had broken his ship, which Treldaan was quick to (somehow successfully) lie about. Still, this did nothing to deter Caine who pressed on, calling us out as landlubbers, and though he was impressed with our fighting ability he pondered as to what he should do with us. We stayed mainly quiet, but Sev assured Caine we are a quick study and could always learn to sail. It seemed to appease him well enough and we were presented with a choice.
“You can all take the mark or stay in the pens. Or you could always join the rest of the crew hanging from the sails.”
Treldaan was the first to say that, given the options, the mark didn’t seem too bad. But never one to want people to make decisions lightly, Caine made it abundantly clear what that mark would mean, and what failure to uphold that meaning would warrant - 1 painful warning, followed by a messy bloody death if it were to happen again. That is how I was carefully able to learn that Caine had no intention of killing Jedek until he got some sort of information out of him. If he could just somehow hold on, I could get him out…somehow…
And thus we took the mark, which is less of a traditional tattoo, and more of a brand from a black iron chain, with The Shadow being the one to administer it. Treldaan took the oath and weathered the brand about as well as to be expected - with a scream of pain but he remained standing. Sev took it as well, though he managed not to scream as it seared his flesh. At this moment, I knew I had to make an impression - for surely if I could get in good with the Captain I would be that much closer to freeing Jedek from this hell he was once again being subject to.
“My dear captain, I’ve heard tales of your greatness from those who have served under you. Those that made their home in Antaeus for fear they wouldn’t make it anywhere else. They spoke of your ruthlessness, the immense power you hold. Surely they must have spoken the truth, for here such a man stands before me. It would be my honor to serve you.”
Thankfully, Caine is a man with an ego, finding my declarations endearing - even earning a genuine laugh and smile. It was he who branded me, and it took everything in me to keep stoic as he did so. With our loyalties pledged, he returned our gear. Leaving us to explore the top decks and get something to eat before presumably starting our training as seafaring folk. We find a quiet place on deck to eat, as the bodies of our former crew, and some that perhaps weren’t ours, swing from the masts.
This of course led to a conversation of The Bloodfields in Anteaus, as the boys didn’t seem as comfortable with the dead. But then the inevitable conversation about my tattoos began. Apparently, though there was a mess of fighting, both boys still noticed my tattoos begin to melt. I didn’t want to have this conversation, didn’t trust them enough for it, so I deflected as well as I could. They got enough out of me to learn they were seals and that Hades had given them to me. Though soon it was time to delve into Treldaan’s past.
I may not know much about the Mage Hunters, but I do know they are rumored to be ruthless and are not above killing children just learning the craft. The way Treldaan talked about his time with them, I’m convinced the rumors are true, and Treldaan did things he isn’t proud of. Especially knowing that I won’t let him lecture me on what is morally right.
Sev was distracted though, claiming to have seen a large bulbous catfish-shaped man in fine clothing and. a tophat learning at us from the water. Though, as weird as it was, I suggested that Sev had simply been out in the sun for too long. The sun is awfully hot when out to sea, so it’s far from impossible. Accepting this, we went below and met Tomkin “Bird Eye” Newberry. After hearing what Sev believes he saw, Tomkin suggested that perhaps it was Gaanu Tench, and while I’m unfamiliar with him, I was quickly filled in on the legends. Perhaps this could be a way to free Jedek, if it wasn’t just a trick of the light that is.