[HQ Ignorance] Scene 93: Journey Across the Rosgali Sea

[Lev Lafayette]

Scene 93: Journey Across the Rosgali Sea

After introductions to the new guide completes Miranyth The Purple and
Nauticles takes the rump Fellowship to the port of Nochet in the
morning. Nauticles takes Kalen and Rotterex aside and explains that they
should make close friends with Imsa, who knows where the fabled city of
Lei Tabor actually is. "A local in a strange land can be worth much, and
believe me, Kralorela is very, very strange."

There is a sense of optimism and opportunity with the new wind breathing
across the bay of the Holy Country. The Red Banner of Valour fluttered
proudly and colourfully, as bright flowers sprouted from the sides.
Miranyth hands a bag, perhaps surprisingly, to Rikku. "In here is the
breath of Orlanth, the Storm God. It has but three charges. It can give
you a sudden and remarkable period of speed, something that can outrun
any other vessell known to man or God. Or, more suitably, it can give a
sustained release that can provide you more than double your normal
speed for about a week. With such use", he continues, you will be about
to reach the fabled land of Teshnos within said period."

King Azhur looks around the crew with a degree of satisfaction. Kalen
and Rotterex showed a most unusual combination of heroic abilities when
defeating the Crimson Bat and now worked on the bilge among the
machinery which housed the salamanders. Jareena had performed her tasks
with a certain nobility and air of righteousness; "If another time and
place", he thought just for a moment. 

And Kalen and her wolf? Maybe she really could be the saviour of the
Telmori. He pondered on the changes that had come over him, having to
accept that not only pagan cults had some validity, but even those
supposedly tainted by Chaos itself. He shook his head with a slight
laugh. And here they were hundreds of leagues from home, finding the
weapons of the very man who supposedly caused their Chaotic taint.

The Dragonewt Seeker was providing additional muscle under the direction
of Eurynome, the one person who was truly skilled in the art of
seafaring among the party. They remained quiet, speaking to each other
in whispers. Azhur was a little surprised to see Eurynome coming along,
thinking that she would stay behind with Nauticles - but her she was.
The Seeker, his presence was understanable. The Dragonewt's tail flicked
in sun indicating a growing sense of maturity. Such alien creatures.

And of course, Rikku. A member of one of the most misguided cults to
ever be borne on Glorantha and yet also with that uncanny skill to see,
to hear and smell, the very fabric of reality itself. "It must be hell",
he muttered under his breath. And of course, the newcomer Imsa. So
nervous, and unsure of herself. Hardly seems up to rigours of travel,
but here she is. Must have some ability in something.

A moment was spent also for Icthya. "She would have loved the Banner
now", though Azhur sadly.

As the ship sailed out into the bay and eventually into the open ocean,
Rikku pondered perhaps too long on the great artifact that had fallen
into his possession. Images of opening the bag in the face of his
brother on a cliffside and watching him being blown through the air like
a rag-doll filled his mind. But on Azhur's insistence and on Eurynome's
recommendation, the God Learner - with some reluctance - opened the bag
to release the Breath of Orlanth.

Truth is important to the worshippers of the Orlanthi pantheon - with
the exception of the wily Eurmal - and Miranyth did indeed tell the
truth. No sooner did Rikku open the bag than a strong breeze immediately
filled the sails of the small vessel. It took off with great speed
across the open sea in an eastwards directions. To the north was the
lands of Prax and the Wastes; dry, empty and infected with Chaos. To the
east, the lands of jungle. "But at the rate we are travelling", remarked
Azhur, "We will be broken on the shoreline!"

[OK, that's the challenge for this scene - work out how you're going to
manage an out-of-control sailing vessell that is simply going too fast
for normal management and is showing no intention of slowing down. Nota
bene: This is a scene stretched out over at least three contests
representing several days journey]