Wardens of Wildemount ((IC))

[desperado1089]

"I'll hold you to that, Priscilla," Jon said, winking back as he dried himself off but opted to leave his shirt off as he got dressed, the better to show off his status as a "fine specimen" or whatever. He watched the tiny Rogue leave, then followed her, tying his shirt around his waist by the sleeves.

 

[Shadowlace]

"I hope you will, I'll be looking forward to it," Halfling says with a big smile as she walks in front of him her calf-length hair hanging free. AS she manages to take a peek at his muscled frame and blushes a bit.

"Also thanks for...it has been a few years for me. So honestly thank you so much" Priscilla says as they get to the door and she knocks.

"We're back, and ready to drink and play some cards!!!" Exclaimed the rogue as she held her pack over her shoulder and smiled. She was ready to have fun, especially after she was greatly invigorated from her and Jons' activities.

 

[justspitballing]

Diva'ss was looking over her hand of cards and knew she could win every single round of this game by simply casting minor illusion on a specific card in her hand and by using her limited telepathy to read the minds of the people around her to find out what cards they all had, if it wasn't for two unquestionable facts.

1. She had no idea how to play this game.

And 2. cheating is wrong.

She grumbled, knowing that she was indeed really gambling. She held in her hand a a Paladin of Swords, a Paladin of Stars, a Paladin of Crowns, a Paladin of Mountains and a Ten of Swords. Was that any good at all? She would likely never know. As she contemplated her next move, maybe giving up these weak paladin cards for better ones, Priscilla and Jon entered into the room. Diva'ss waved over Jon for some help, she could use some.

 

[desperado1089]

Jon immediately asked in a booming, commanding voice, "What are we playing?" He went over to Diva'ss and sat down next to her, drawing words on her lower back with his finger that, once finished, read: "Good hand, if most forms of poker." Smiling at everyone, he said, "Well? Is someone gonna say so so that we know which rules to follow?"

 

[Shadowlace]

Priscilla sets down her stuff and then comes over to the table. She utters some words to cast a translucent hand to hold a mirror in front of her. The Halfling lass begins to brush her hair, stroking through her ebony locks. As she does she looks around and smiles.

" Don't mind me I have to do my hair! However if you wanna pour me a drink and pass some food, I'll gladly observe with little interference!" She giggled then winced as she shifted and felt a slight tingle. Apparently, she was still feeling it from Jon. Which in the moment made her look over at the Paladin, eye his rigid frame and then blush like a stupid school girl.

She shook it off and breathed. She remembered back all those years ago when her mother taught her how to pamper herself with a good combing. As she combed she remembered the beautiful tune she hummed and got lost in the moment. So much that she began to hum the tune too. Priscilla was lost in her thoughts, thoughts with her mother, enjoying one of the few happy moments from her past.

 

[justspitballing]

As Jon sat down beside Diva'ss he started to slowly write down letters on her back. His movements were slow and precise, trailing along the back of her body, cutting through the light fabric and touching softly on her skin. To be honest, the feeling was intoxicating and the words ended up being very long. By the end, Diva'ss lost track of what Jon was even writing as her eyes rolled softly into her head and she firmly put a hand on his thigh.

If I wasn't a proper woman you would have me under this table pretending to look for a card while I undid your zipper, she telepathically said to Jon.

Since she was speaking through the mind instead of Jon hearing words he would see her ideas, namely pictures of Diva'ss on her knees with his shaft going deep into her mouth. Diva'ss blushed as she let her thoughts get away with her. She seemed to be pretty excited, much more then usual. Maybe the idea of Jon just being with another lady was a massive turn on in its own right.

Diva'ss tried to settle her thoughts. She didn't want to actually seduce Jon in front of everyone. But she did decide to keep her hand as is. It had to be a good hand as Jon seemed to be pleased by it.

"Pretend I didn't think that," Diva'ss whispered in his ear.

"But maybe tonight I will think it and then some more," she went on and then drank from the water in her cup, and then promptly regretted it. Even water on this ship tasted like pure garbage sewage.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Jaena Pharstreider

"Is this Rexxentrum rules or are we playing by Port Damali's version of poker?" She asked hoping the answer would be neither.

Instead Ulrich shifting around the cards in his own hand referred back to the earlier topic, "I'm not one for sacrifices."

"Oh," Jaena asked to make him elaborate further. If this was Nico Dranus rules she'd need to discard her Four of swords and Seven of Crowns and she'd might be able to manage a full Royal Court.

"No sport in it." He responded with a mournful shake of his head, "Not really good Kord behavior. there's no testing yourself against a tied up captive."

"Yeah," She agreed putting two cards down and drawing two more, "It's certainly not very sporting."

"It is in the struggle that all life is given purpose." He continued, "What's the point in killing a bound man? savagery really. that's for cowards. it's for the weak willed."

"I agree with you there, Ulrich," She lifted her cards to see what she had a ten of Crowns and an eight of Crowns. Okay, one step closer to a winning hand. "You don't have to worship one of the gods to know fair is fair."

Just then Priscilla and Jon entered in the room she gave Ulrich an eye roll as they come up suggesting to the two of them, "One guess what kept them."

To Jon's statement she said, "You and Priscilla want in on the next hand? Oh and since no one clarified for me, I'm playing by Nicodranus rules...It is pretty standard but twos are wild."

She threw in two copper pieces of the limited number she had left after spending all of her gold just for passage on this ship...maybe she can start to recover losses with this game.

Just then a voice from the main deck of the Silverpike hollared loudly, "There! Someone out in the water! Off the Port bow! Someone in the water!"

"What in the nine hells," Jaena asked rising to her feet to look out their cabin's porthole. "There!" She said pointing to a speck bobbing in the waves illuminated by the moonlit water, "There is someone out there."

 

[desperado1089]

Jon started to say, "Let me purify that for--" before the call came from the deck above. He waited just long enough for one of the others to look through the porthole and give a general location before he was off, as spending most of his life at sea made him realize that time was of the essence when it came to maritime rescues. He took the steps up to the deck two at a time, throwing off his shirt as he went and then halting on deck just long enough to hand his sword safely to a waiting crewman, before sliding out of his boots and making a running dive into the water.

 

[CallMeRikkiRP]

Willow gasped and flailed. She should have known not to go out on the water, but you get a chance to stowaway on a pirate ship full of gold and sense is out the window. Of course one of the pirates just had to be a mage and said mage just had to cast a life detect spell... Turns out walking the gangplank only applies to pirates. They had just chucked her uncerimoniously overboard. Maybe that was because she'd killed 4 of them before they could tie her up...
Another boat was coming close, which was good because getting the ropes off only did her so much good when she couldn't swim. A man jumped off the ship and firm arms caught her around the waist as they were hauled up onto the deck. "You ok?" Someone asked. "Yeah, I'm just fine after almost drowning. Does anyone have a towel?" Willow said sardonically. Someone handed her a towel. She dried herself off as best she could. "What's your name?" The big man who'd rescued her asked. "Willow Navale, Widow to the late Quentus Navale, Master Alchemist. Oh, I'm also a wood elf. And no, I know absolutely nothing about alchemy. That was Quin's job. Should I pay passage or does being chucked off a pirate ship absolve me of that responsibility?"

 

[justspitballing]

Everyone quickly scurried up above, Jon leading the charge. Diva'ss tripped a bit with getting up. She still wasn't thinking to straight and now she would be expected to maybe save someone. Life is full of odd twists and turns, isn't it?

By the time she got up she saw that a woman had been fished out of the sea and was being currently dried off. She was quickly introducing herself and already worried about payment to be on the ship. Captain Saldea, the half orc, was already approaching her. That woman seemed to have a stern heart and liked her payment, so Diva'ss gulped down a bit of worry.

"We can give you a ride to our first stop, or till we see a safe ship, if you can't pay, but we are not a free pass," Saldea quickly explained to the new comer.

"Forty-five gold is the paying rate," Diva'ss pointed out.

"I'll give you a discount and make it 35," Saldea said to the new comer.

A lot of the crew suddenly burst out in a small chuckle. Diva'ss looked around starting to slowly put things together. She had been swindled for ten gold. Diva'ss grumbled and rolled her eyes. Life was horribly unfair. She would be very tempted to try and get Priscilla to steal her gold back, if that could be safe. But that was pretty doubtful.

After Saldea was done making agreements Diva'ss approached the new comer, not bothering to use disguise self and letting the new comer simply see that she was a green skinned Verdan.

"Welcome aboard, the sea these days be the darkest possible so it is good to have you unharmed. I'm Diva'ss More, servant of Erathis Church. We are headed right now for Bwualli. I'm hoping we get there by tomorrow as this journey has been a hard one," Diva'ss explained after a quick curtsy.

 

[CallMeRikkiRP]

"Nice to meet you, Diva'ss. No need to look so worried. I've already stolen my gold back. I'll take the discount, though." Willow grinned. "I've plenty of gold. I did manage to steal something from those bloody pirates before they tossed me off. Is it stealing when they stole it first? I like to think that this gold will eventually make its way back to the people it was stolen from. Assuming they're not dead, of course." Willow turned to the captain and paid her 35 gold. "Do I have a cabin? No matter. Where's the bar?" Willow wandered below deck.
She soon found that she did not have a cabin. She bought one of the crew's hammocks and tucked the wet blanket from her pack in it. She hung the hammock in a far corner of the common room-like place. She changed into a dry set of clothes she'd bought from the Captain unashamed. Willow no longer cared if men saw her. Quin was gone.
Shaking off the dark thoughts, Willow sat down to a game of cards. She had no idea what game it was, but tossed coppers in freely. What did coppers matter when she had a small fortune of gold in her pouch and another hidden in secret pockets of her cloak, blanket, and bag? In fact, she soon had to exchange gold peices for copper ones because she ran out of small change. This all made her very popular with the crew and other passengers. Soon she knew everything there was to know about everyone and everything on board. Except the rules to the card game.

 

[siobhancan99]

Ulrich returns to the hold, continuing not to gamble. While e wasn't tight fisted, throwing his money down a halfling shaped hole was not really what he wanted to use it for. He looks over the newcomer, listening to the talk and trying to figure out where she fit in his head.

Taking a long pull from his flask he sighs "i think i am going to have to abandon my pilgramage. between the halfling and the new girl i think i've found my calling. I'll open Ulrich's school for wayward girls. We can teach the rudiments of combat, and how to make it through dinner without stealing the silverware" he grins and brushes his fingers through his magnificent beard "and maybe revealing uniforms. tasteful, more suggestive than baudy. I mean, we're classy."

 

[Shadowlace]

Priscilla let the others go fish this one out of the drink. She was focused on braiding her long hair. The elf was well gorgeous. She could tell, also that she was capable. Not sure how capable but capable enough. The rogue couldn't put her finger on it but something told her that like her, this elf knew a thing or too about the criminal arts.

The Halfling cast mage hand. The ethereal hand hovered a few feet in front of her as Priscilla sent it around to free her comb, brush and hair ties. As it did the halfling smiled.

"Names Priscilla Springheel, pleasure to meet you. Did you enjoy your bath" The rogue lass says in the traditional double speech of all Thieves. ' Names Priscilla Springheel, pleasure to meet you' stayed the same but the latter half changed with her inflections, posture and gestures to 'Are you with a guild?'

After that she continued to work her nimble fingers in working her hair. Combined with aid from her conjured hand hand about a quarter of her voluminous hair was in tight braids.

After Ulrich spoke she giggled which transferred into a laugh, followed by a snort. " Ulrich, I could see that you all pious and powerful surrounded by all these young wayward waifs, training their mind and body so they avoid the evils of the street." It was funny but also endearing that the cleric wanted to help wayward girls. It would of been nice for an honest soul to do that for the kids in her neighborhood of the Skew, but alas few wanted that responsibility. Especially when these 'wayward' children were often the products of prostitution or worse.

"Don't get me wrong it would be nice, but I did well. I was able to get into the Solstrious Academy and nearly graduate, if it wasn't for Koreen and her damned betrayal do to her jealously I'd be a member of the Cereberus Assembly!" Priscilla said growling at the end, not at anyone but mostly just in frustration. She blinked and then sighed.

"Sorry Ulrich, even after all these years it still gets to me. I'm just gonna continue braiding my hair while you all play. Though a shot of booze would be nice" She smiled and then went back to her nimble and diligent braiding of her hair. As the halfling did she mentally worked through the formulas and theories she learned all those years ago. It brought a sense of comfort to her.

 

[CallMeRikkiRP]

"Nice to meet you, Priscilla." Willow replied in theives' tongue. "I had one, but they were all slaughtered but me. My husband and child, too." Willow closed her eyes for a brief moment, supressing painful emotions. She plastered a roguish grin on her face and winked at the cleric as he said something about making a school. "I never steal silverware! It's not worth the space in my pockets!" A ripple of laughter passed round the table and Willow relaxed a bit. Everything was going to be just fine.

 

[justspitballing]

Diva'ss went down and back to where she was to try her best once more at this blasted card game. She did not see Willow change as that was near the cabins, but did hear some over hand chatter about the attractive elf getting changed with no regard for who saw her.

She had just entered and was already setting off a bit of a storm, but now Diva'ss was starting to worry a bit. She was an elf, a chaotic being, and she had kind of admitted to stealing, and she clearly cared for rules in a very light way. Diva'ss sighed, she didn't want to take note of everything she had and make sure nothing came to be taken.

Then the green skin of Diva'ss own hand as it held onto her own cards stood out. Diva'ss was tempted to try and cover herself again in a disguise self spell. She shook her head no, knowing that her uncomfortable feelings about Willow were maybe actually uncomfortable feelings about herself.

'Erathis, are you still with me?' Diva'ss thought to herself. With Diva'ss being a chaotic being herself, had Erathis really ever been with her?

No, these ideas were unfitting. Diva'ss could still accept herself and be lawful. She could still like people that did not always fallow the law. In some cases she could really quite enjoy them. Like she could say enjoy seeing an elf change clothing. Her mind was swimming a bit because she had to admit, Willow was very attractive. Maybe Diva'ss could work out this frustration physically tonight with Jon. Maybe she could work it out in other ways with other people....

Diva'ss blushed as Willow entered into the area and had a seat, talking with Priscilla and Ulrich. Diva'ss knew she had to control herself. She didn't want to accidently send the woman a telepathic message about wanting to kiss her right there and then. Life is far to complicated.

And now she would be expected to do well at a card game. Sigh.

 

[desperado1089]

Jon, meanwhile, had gone below deck the same time as Willow did, and was fairly close to where she was when she changed clothes. His tightening breeches betrayed his opinion of the elven widow's obvious beauty, but he hoped nobody noticed. At any rate, he sat back down at the table not long before Willow did, and when that happened, he got all kinds of weird vibes from Diva'ss, whom he felt personally closest to, thus far, and was able to read fairly easily. He tapped his temple subtly, and gave her a look, as if to say, If something's on your mind, and you don't wanna share it with the whole ship, tell me with a telepathic spell or something. His expression was warm and non-judgmental, and he smiled in a way that he hoped reinforced his message of, 'you can tell me anything.'

 

[CallMeRikkiRP]

Willow eventually bullied the captain into giving her a small cabin by herself. She sat there, alone, crying softly. She was staring at a drawing of her little baby Serene. Quin had done it. It was beautiful. She carefully folded it back up and tucked it into the waterproof breast pocket of her cloak. The small room was just how she liked it. Tight, secluded, uninviting. Nobody would walk in on her tears. Oh, Quin... Willow thought. You always did want to move away from the guild. But I hope you understand why I couldn't. That guild was almost as much of a family to me as you, love of my heart.
Willow dried her tears and expertly applied make-up from her disguise kit to hide her puffy eyes. Then she went out into the common room. She noted several male heads turn, more than one with a look of disappointment at her move to the private room. Willow couldn't help a flirtatious smile. She walked to the table of friends, including Diva'ss and Jon. Willow plopped down on the seat beside Diva'ss. "Ok, you guys are clearly an adventure crew. I want in." She stated bluntly.

 

[siobhancan99]

Ulrich leans back against a beam, watching the group. he crosses his arms over his chest "not me. I'm no adventurer. I'm a spiritual advisor. I mean sure I mostly advise that all resolution comes from conflict, and that its best if that conflict is armed but i'm a spiritual advisor. adventure is for those who just can't recognize that the conflict they need so badly can be found in the tenets of most holy Kord" he looks around the dim recesses of the ship and then back to Willow "that being said, though Finn and I are the newest additions to this motley crew for my part you're welcome to join whatever the fuck it is we are for however long it pleases you"

 

[justspitballing]

Jon sat on one side of Diva'ss, Willow sat on the other. Jon was being his calming, helpful self, already picking up that something was off with Diva'ss. Willow had a nice smile to her face and Ulrich was welcoming her to the group.

The smell of both Jon and Willow at once was intoxicating. Diva'ss was now starting to become well aware that her heart did not belong to any one being and could belong to many, but now her lust seemed to bounce back and forth between Willow and Jon almost instantly. She was blushing heavily.

Diva'ss turned to Jon and whispered to him, "I'm as fine as I've ever been," but as she told this fib her mind had other ideas.

She pictured in her head Willow changing as she had heard second hand, and wondered the idea of Jon seeing this, and the idea of what would happen if she, herself, saw this, and before she could control her mind it spun into the idea of a naked Willow inviting Jon and Diva'ss to her bedroom.

And this thought screamed so heavily at Diva'ss that an image of it spilled out of her mind and touched the minds of Jon and Willow at the same time.

Diva'ss blushed and felt greatly ashamed for a moment. Sending sexual thoughts to a partner was to be expected if one knew telepathy like Diva'ss did, but sending sexual thoughts to a complete stranger was a lot more taboo.

Diva'ss didn't know what to do, trying to explain that was an accident with telepathy would be very hard and awkward, and if she just blurted out an apology everyone else on the ship may become aware. She would have to apologize to both Willow and Jon in private and try her best to explain things and she would have to do it as soon as possible.

"I need to go and freshen up," Diva'ss said.

She got up and sent a single thought to both Willow and Jon, 'talk to me in private.'

She hoped they would be understanding. This was so embarrassing.

 

[CallMeRikkiRP]

Willow suddenly felt a thought push into her mind. Somehow she could tell it came from Diva'ss. She blushed furiously at the image. It was strangely beautiful, however. Willow could feel her body getting excited. Telepathy. Neat. Willow thought. Another thought pushed in. Talk to me in private. Diva'ss stood and left. Willow stood as well. "Nice meeting y'all, but I really gotta go unpack before my stuff gets mildew-y." She said quickly. She walked after Diva'ss.

 

[desperado1089]

Jon rose to his feet as well. "I would rather not partake if my money is at risk. I may need it for something important, such as armor repairs. If you'll excuse me." He knew that Diva'ss had telepathic abilities, and he had seen Willow change and had thought along similar lines to what Diva'ss was clearly thinking. The only difference was that he didn't think Diva'ss would be there, but now he knew she wanted to be there, he couldn't have imagined it better. Jon's face remained neutral, as if he was excusing himself for the exact reason he spoke of...until he was out of sight of the others, at which point his face split into a shit-eating grin.

 

[justspitballing]

As Jon and Willow got up to fallow Diva'ss she tried her best to give them directions with her mind. Pointing out to meet her in front of her room.

She was quick to get there, wanting to resolve all of this. Her excuse of needing to go to the bathroom didn't exactly buy them a lot of time. The moment Diva'ss saw Willow and Jon she hurriedly waved them over, opened the door of her room and let them inside.

"I'm so, so sorry," she blurted out once she could.

"I'm, well, I'm very fond of Jon and my kind can speak through the mind. I never meant for someone else to see my thoughts. I don't know what has come over me on this blasted ship," Diva'ss tried her best to explain to Willow.

"I'm sorry for embarrassing you," she went on.

Diva'ss never dreamed she would end up being in a situation like this. Having to explain away and justify her feelings. She used to be such a sound and rational woman, now she was a mess. Diva'ss looked down at the floor, a bit embarrassed and ashamed of herself. She glanced down at Willow's feet and once again her mind did betray her and in an instant she imagined herself kissing and licking the woman's feet, slowly moving up her legs, and then Diva'ss thought of Jon unzipping his pants. She imagined kissing both of their legs, slowly moving her lips and tongue up their legs and to their private areas. Taking in their sexual features and licking it all up.

And then again, these thoughts slipped out for both Willow and Jon to see and feel. Her telepathy kicked in, in full, and they would have both seen everything.

"Oh for all blasted sake!" Diva'ss cried out.

Diva'ss collapsed onto her bed a bit defeated. This was only getting worse and Willow couldn't possibly be okay with someone being so forward to her, could she?

 

[desperado1089]

"Don't be sorry for embracing your sexuality, Diva'ss," Jon said, taking off his boots and unbuckling his sword-belt, setting the latter on a table and the former next to the door. He had no idea what Willow would do, but he was determined to show the Verdan that he wanted to indulge her fantasies, and thus he padded across the room in his bare feet, tented breeches and damp shirt, and put a finger under her chin and tilted her head to meet his gaze, his expression warm, inviting and lustful all at once as he knelt down and kissed her.

 

[CallMeRikkiRP]

Willow burst into tears. "Oh, Nine Divines!" She cursed softly. "I'm sorry. I just haven't felt like anyone wanted me since my husband... passed." Willow sat down beside Diva'ss and hugged her fiercely. "Thank you." She whispered to her. "I'm totally willing to do anything for you, Diva'ss."

 

[desperado1089]

As Diva'ss was sort of jolted free of Jon's kiss by Willow's hug, he sat back on his haunches and grinned like the cat that caught the canary. "Would it surprise you, Willow, to know that I was thinking along similar lines to Diva'ss, here?" He dropped his voice to a seductive growl. "I had the best seat in the house when you stripped to your pale, beautiful skin right there in the common room. Tell me, do the collars and cuffs match? You were turned away from me for that part." As if to entice her to answer honestly, Jon pulled off his shirt and tossed it aside.