Quest And We Go (Darva Folks)

[Liminal]

75 Winter, 512 AV

Some voyages leave with fleets of ships. Some, like Kenabelle Wright's circumnavigatory expedition, leave in the finest vessel ever manufactured in the post-Valterrian world. And some...well, some leave in a hastily retrofitted fishing boat. That was Charm Wright's idea. She didn't want an expensive, modern ship for a voyage that no one knew if they would return from, especially since the part of the trip that actually involved sailing to Darva was quite easy. It was what came after that that bore the risk of being swallowed up by the most mysterious island in Mizahar. Her crew was quite small -- a handful of reckless adventurers that had signed up for this voyage of madness. They were accompanied by ten sailors who had made it quite clear that their only job was to get the boat to Darva, and that they weren't at any point going to leave said boat. Nonetheless, a crowd had gathered to see them off. As the sails were raised, Charm turned to the throng and gave them a cheerful wave. "I don't suppose I'll see you all again, but I'd like to thank you for your kindness through the years. Stay true to Zeltiva's ideals, and may the gods watch over and protect you." Then, she turned to her motley group of explorers, and asked with a grin: "Shall we get this party started?"

[Outcast]

The boat rocked, tilted and bobbed gently on the water as Outcast surveyed the crowd that had gathered to see them embark on this journey. There was little that Outcast craved for more than the attention of others. He basked in the attention that was being paid to the small boat without saying a word, already immensely pleased with himself. When Charm turned to address the adventurers who had signed on to this little trip Outcast didn't respond. He let one of the other crew members respond first as he was enraptured by the crowd of people on the docks. He'd never seen quite so many people in the one place before. Reluctantly though he pulled his gaze away from the crowd and afixed it on the other crew members. It was a strange and varied lot that Charm had gathered but that was all the better in his opinion, get enough different skills together and one set will fit the situation.

He looked back at the Zeltiva docks once more without a hint of regret before he pushed the place from his mind. He had things to do, he hadn't decided what they where yet, but he had things to do like start a betting pool on what it was that they'd find on Darva.

[Cadicus]

Cadicus leant nonchalantly against the mast, the picture of ease, his eyebrows raised and his arms crossed. The people of Zeltiva had congregated on the docks, watching the less-than-impressive little boat raise its sails and prepare to leave for certain death. The city needed something to hold onto, in the wake of the death and illness that plagued the city. The image of little Moll, thin, ragged, chest not moving flashed up against his mind, but he squashed it along with the anger inside of him. He could not think of that just yet. He would not think of that. Somewhere, on the docks, in the crowds, perhaps, stood a Drykas woman with a tattooed face. A sour taste plagued Cadicus' mouth. Cypress was different now. So was he. But would they both survive this next stage of their lives? Cypress - no. He could not think of her either. Cadicus had too much to lose on this voyage. Looking down fondly at Sodalis, the dog lay curled up at his feet. The rocking motion of the boat was something he had never enjoyed, the seasickness affecting the canine much more than the Ethaefal. He grinned down at the dog, thinking of Maritus, alone in some stable waiting for his bonded master to come home. "Cheer up, Dalis," the Ethaefal murmured, softly, quietly enough for none of the crew to hear his tender tone. "Better get used to it." Cadicus turned his gaze to the motley crew that surrounded him: his group he knew, all with their own reasons for embarking on this deathly voyage. A Myrian, a human, a jittery little red headed man. A strange crew, one that Cadicus already held no endearment towards. Sighing, he rolled his eyes. The old woman used such cliche methods of trying to get them excited. It would not work on Cadicus. "Yes, ma'am," he said sarcastically, snapping to attention. He looked out over at the docks once more, and swallowed down the memory of what he was leaving behind. He'd have to keep that locked away until he was sure he'd be coming home.

[Iskessah]

Iskessah huddled against the side of the little boat, trying to keep out of the wind, flinching every time a drop of icy sea water splashed onto her skin. Why did she keep putting herself through things like this? Why could she not be content with finding a nice warm safe cave to sleep in forever? But no, she had to keep getting herself involved with ludicrous people. She could just imagine how safe and warm her apartment was back in Ravok... so inviting, just waiting for her to come home... And then with a jolt, she realized, she might never see Ravok again. Rumor was this Darva place was the land of no return. Would she die on that island? Or would she find a new place to live, a new person to be? Why did no one ever return? Did they just not find a reason to want to? Iskessah had mixed feelings about these thoughts. She did not want to die, certainly, but would she really mind never coming back? What did she have to go back to? She might miss Joshry for a bit--she already did--but as fond as she was of the boy, it was not hard to imagine leaving him behind with everything else. The more she thought about it, huddled against the side of the small boat, the more she became enamored with the idea of running from everything and just staying in Darva. Without even knowing what they would find there, she began to convince herself that it was preferable to the confusion and general dissatisfaction she held in her current life.

[Kenneric Crowe]

“Good, very good!” Kenneric smiled to one of the sailors as he set down his small pack of provisions. “For a moment I had been wondering if I would have to partake in the nautical activities. And we would, most assuredly, drown if that were the case!” He laughed lightly as the sailor gave him an odd look. Crowe paid little attention to the slightly mournful crowd, and was more interested in the vessel and those aboard. He’d have to get to know them before any real danger came.

Spotting Charm Wright’s aged visage, he made his way over to their leader. She sounded a bit resigned as she told them she may not see them again, but Kenneric laughed, he did not catch if anyone else had. The whole trip simply oozed excitement for him. Most of his fellows who had signed up were secluded in different parts of the boat, alone and enjoying solitude. That would not due. Kenneric began to make his rounds, introducing himself. Zeltiva, and civilization, was behind them now. They would now have to rely upon each other.

He stepped up to the nearest, the pycon, and bent down to introduce himself. “Hello, there. My name is Crowe, pleased to meet you.” He held out a hand and waited expectantly for the creature to respond. He had never met a pycon before, but had heard tales of their adventurous spirit, perhaps this one would be as excited about the journey as he was.

[Besnik]

Besnik ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Besnik had been getting ready for the trip for a while now, both physically and mentally. He, like the rest of them, had no idea what would happen to them from here on out, and that both scared and excited him. Usually he’d leave a city unknown, not bothering or caring to tell anyone, so the send-off they received was slightly overwhelming. His pack was slung on his back, bulging slightly with what he carried in ready for the trip, as he made his way to where their leader, Charm Wright, was addressing the crowd. It had been made perfectly clear that none of them were to expect to return, not knowing what was actually at Darva, and that worried him slightly. Still, he couldn’t help but be caught up in the moment with a huge grin on his face as he moved to the side of the boat and leaned against it to look down and see if he recognised anyone seeing them off. The rocking of the boat threw him off slightly and he backed up, but he wasn’t too concerned about it. He had noticed a stranger, his dog curled up at his feet, and was glad he’d been on boats before. He’d surely feel as seasick as the other canine if he hadn’t; his first voyage a few years ago serving as proof to that. He glanced about, getting a first view of the crew he’d be living with for an undefined amount of time, curious about each of them. His grin never let up, eyes alight with the joy of adventure, and at a glance one might be able to tell that he wasn’t human; his pupils to wide and expression holding an animalistic excitement. Charm had turned to address them, signalling it was truly time to start the trip. He turned his back on the crowd, as usual not sending a good bye and simply facing on to his future. Should they return he’d probably stick in Zeltiva for a while longer, but should they not for whatever reason it didn’t put him off the idea of discovering something completely new. He sat on the floor, back leaning against the side of the boat, and looked about at the rest of the crew. He wondered what they were like, looking forward to getting to know them, but for now would sit quietly until someone spoke to him. It was strange being a passenger in his human form, rather than a stowaway curled up in his dhole form, but it felt good. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ||Besnik|| ||3 years|| ||Kelvic|| ||Bondmate - Valo||

[Lucas Arias]

Lucas made a face as he saw the boat. He looked from Charm to his fellow adventurers and back and couldn’t help but ask, „Are you sure this is the right boat for such a trip? We are going on an expedition, not fishing. Something bigger that offers more protection would be better. It would increase our chance of survival.“

He eyed the boat again, sighed and stepped onto it. He’d probably have to ask Kelwyn for their help before too long. He’d always wanted to get in contact with them again anyway.

„You’ve got a strange sense of humor“, he remarked as he heard what Charm said to the crowd at the dock. „You seem to be quite convinced that this is a suicide trip. Well, let’s go and see what kind of dangers Darva has in store for us. Hello, by the way.“

He greeted his fellow adventurers, and then, as he took a closer look at them, he furrowed his brow.

Some of them looked alright, but most of his companions weren’t particularly impressive. What in Kelwyn’s name was a Pycon doing there? The thing couldn’t fight. It couldn’t carry anything heavy, and every stone would pose an insurmountable obstacle. The woman looked like she was going to be seasick, and Besnik looked like he was an idiot, grinning the way he did.

Lucas would probably have to save them all.

[Miles]

Miles strode on the boat in silence, obviously absorbed by other thoughts. His arm was rested, his pockets were empty, and his thirst for knowledge and understanding teetered on obsessive. He had garnered supplies and such with the last of his weekly budget (which was nothing to show, to be honest) and for the first time he was concerned about his home, and his life. Adella had done it to him. She was decent enough he supposed, but an unexpected houseguest at the worst, and a rather unwilling partner at best. The stress of that life weighed on him, and somewhere in his thoughts it was good to sail away from the shores of Zeltiva, even into certain doom.

He showed his face to his fellow travelers, or rather his fellow gravemates, and flashed a dazzling but short lived smile to Besnik. He should have known the Kelvic would show. Adventure, possible doom and a hint of treasure is enough to call young blood to boil. His blood had been boiling for the past few weeks. It was time to turn the heat down.

The thief immediately found a place to stand, and began trying desperately to calm and focus his thoughts. Mediation would be the only way, really. Remembering some of Abraham's lessons, he counted the waves slapping against the boat. He felt the gentle sway of the small vessel, and imagined it was a flow of energy, of the Earth's Djed. He tried to tune himself to it, delving deeper within himself, ignoring that which is outside of him with each rhythmic slap of the wave against the boat. If this were to be a trying time, Miles would have to be ready and focused. He offered a small prayer to Akajia that what was kept secret would be placed in capable hands- that this expedition would be done with respect to that which has remained hidden.

Charm spoke and he wondered what kind of life she led. What would make an elder throw her golden years away to chance like this? One last adventure? One final discovery? It is believed that the dying bear the secrets of life to the living- to be blessed with one's final words is to be gifted with something holy. Miles wondered if she had come out here to die after all. A place where her loved ones would not be burdened. A place that would not know her name, her struggles. But if she came to die, why bring others along for the ride?

All he could do was wonder and await the future, the greatest mystery of them all.

[Liminal]

Captain Wright looked thoughtfully at her crew. It was a bit smaller than the number of people who had come to her home, but she had expected some attrition. At any rate, she was prepared to make this journey even if no one at all came with her; the help that she did have would be an added bonus.

The boat, amid shallow cheers, pushed away from the dock. It was, perhaps, a bit of a comedown for a woman who had once been the leader of the Sailors' Guild, who had led the Great Eastern Expedition and been the captain of the Nyka route, but Charm Wright didn't much care. After all, the boat didn't have to do anything but get to Darva, and simply sailing there wasn't where the problems lay.

Turning to the group, she said, "The trip to Darva will take perhaps fifteen days. There should be enough berths below for all of you. I'll explain more about our plans for exploration when we get closer. For now, go ahead and stow your belongings, and then feel free to explore the ship, converse among yourselves, or try to get some rest."

[Iskessah]

Iskessah would have loved to take any of Charm's suggestions. At the moment her few possessions were in a pile next to where she huddled, and she wouldn't mind getting them somewhere comparatively safe. She moved to stand on shaky legs, but a gust of salty wind blew into her face, and before she had time to think, she sneezed loudly, several times. The Dhani had never liked Zeltiva, from the moment she set foot here, but now Iskessah had more reason than ever to despise this terrible city. Its plague-ridden streets had infected even her of all people! She had NEVER been sick before coming to this awful, Siku-cursed place. And if she could help it, she would never come back. People in Ravok never got sick, and if they did, the Healing Hand was always available to cures any ills. But she had discovered Zeltiva's vast inferiority mere days after arriving. She had never been a passionate advocate of Ravok, but being outside that lake city only made her realize how good she'd had it there. Upon standing, a wave of nausea washed over Iskessah that was too strong to be attributed to mere seasickness. For a tick, she entertained illusions about being able to keep it down, but fortunately she gave into the truth soon enough to make a break for the side of the ship. The phlegm from the sneeze had caught in her throat, and the sensation was enough to overpower her gag reflex. She bumped into several other passengers on the way (all male for some unfathomable reason), shoving them urgently out of her way without bothering to look at them. Leaning the upper half of her body over the side of the fishing boat, she retched with all the strength in her stomach. She hadn't been eating much lately, so nothing came up but phlegm and some stomach acid, and yet she still couldn't stop. She couldn't hear the conversations around her very well, but she got the impression that the loud retching sound emerged from her throat just in time to drown out someone's otherwise fascinating conversation. After a few chimes, her stomach decided to take a break from trying to crawl up her esophagus, and she slumped to the deck. Being sick was miserable.