Duty Session 332: A Distant Voyage

Several things had Gwen going, the OA needed ayes in this new land, she wanted to find new crafting and cooking mats. Also of importance, there were outfits she's forgotten to deliver to Jaz and Shiruba as well. So it was time to go on a new adventure for the towering Paladin and Fashionette. With Uther and Morri to keep the shop running, there would be nothing to worry about, all existing orders had been delivered or were ready for pickup. Then as she thought about it some time out of her Mother's reach would be wonderful.

Gwen was excited bubbling and ready to go, it did not take her long to get on the ship though she had several crates of things to come along. If she was going to another server? She was damn well going to bring goods to sell too, which to the shock of the Landers? She'll help them load said cargo.

Still Gwen is towering Amazon who is bouncing around like a giddy school girl when all is said and done.

So the rumors about there finally being a path outside of Yamato were true. Kaydon was actually annoyed that Shiruba had both unlocked this and gone on the trip and hadn't invited him, but he would take that up with her later. For now, he had managed to hook up with another group planning on taking the trip. And well, as luck would have it, several folks he's already very familiar with have joined the group as well.

"Not gonna jinx it by saying something cliche here." He mutters, as he rests against the railing on the ship. He'd been on ships plenty, but the furthest any of them had managed was getting to Ezzo.

Kauchemar has a simple, surefire way to gain passage abord the latest ship being shipped out.

She shows the first mate her lute, and strums a few harmonic chords. After that, no one is going to say no. Not when it's known to be a long voyage, so work shanties and idle entertainment is going to be very important.

"Who needs a passport," Kauchemar chuckles to herself as she finds the best vantage point she can on the deck, sitting atop a couple of barrels. "Now to watch the fun unroll."

    Fukaziroh, exaggerating her abilities, had proclaimed loudly that she could drive the boat. Yes, drive. The boat. Prior VR driving experience how difficult could it be? Fortunately no one on the ship was having any of that, and equally fortunately the small blonde Sylph allowed herself to be convinced that, with her race's proclivity for air magic, she'd be super useful up in the rigging instead. Super useful being her sort of thing, she'd happily agreed and so is prepared to contribute properly to the adventure, hopefully not in a way that'll lead to everyone having to respawn at their home temple!
    As to the adventure itself? Fuka's somewhat pleased. One way or another, this should be something to brag about! Or possibly commiserate about. She sets about making herself relatively useful, perhaps surprisingly so, though of course she isn't going to be spending *all* her time up in the rigging! That's mostly just an excuse so she doesn't try to pilot.

There's a new land that's been discovered, and Kotono wants to check it out. Blades in her hands and eagerness to help out, she's found her way onboard the ship. "Anyone know a good seafaring song? I wish Miyako were here!" Kotono stretches her arms and sighs, as she remembers how skilled her buddy is with music compared to her.

When things get underway finally, Kotono takes the time to do a little stretching, since she knows there's going to be danger along the way, and it never hurts to be prepared for anything. "Getting there is half the fun! Dealing with whatever's waiting for us is the other half!"

    Well, Arashi had needed something to do. Convincing a ship's captain to make the voyage? That's what she ended up doing not long after Kaydon had finished the partial reforging of her weapon, Starshadow. As landers and adventurers alike had started to filter onto the ship, Arashi had been discussing the route of the trip with the captain. Cartargropher was one of her things, after all. A glance up at those coming aboard is given on occasion, maybe even a wave to the more familiar, but that's about it. She had business with the captain until it was time to go. Which was soon, considering the bell sounding off on deck.

    Yuuki is walking along the docks of Shibuya and sees a boat being loaded up. Ah hah, that must be the one she's looking for! Yuuki runs up the ramp and takes a spot at the bow, waiting excitedly for the boat to head off.

    A day later there's a surprised cry, "Wait! This ISN'T the boat to the Fourland Dukedom!?"

    And that is when the ship set to sea. After a day or two out? The temperature starts to drop. Landers stay below decks. The adventurers may not be bothered as much, but, well, the ship hits -something- and that's when the monsters start to climb aboard. Bells ring out warning. Time for the adventurers to do what they do!

No voyage goes smoothly forever. Case in point, as giant tendrils appear to grab onto the ship, and strange eye-things swarm onto the deck. The crew is wary, but Kauchemar leaps to her hooves at the oppritunity. "Ah. Unwanted guest stars. Now we can finally start the real show." She snatchs her lute and flips it into playing position as others ready to defend the ship. Fingers flick across the strings, though at first the music that comes from it might seem a bit off-put to the looming situation, as has the beat of a shanty but a bit on the light and airy side.

Until it trails off... and a deeper thumping akin to a war drum can be heard...

Summoning circles appear around the equine, from which rise some manner of undead pirate... gator-men? Were Fang crocodiles? Something like that.

Just in time for Kauchemar to kick into the real rhytmn of the song, and her summons raise cutlasses and charge into the fray with the deep sea fiends!

( https://youtu.be/lS7_tcwsj4E )

... And probably getting their butts womped considering their inspiration, but hey, it's less Landers to get beat up right?

Sea monsters.

Kotono knew it wasn't going to be easy in the slightest. Fortunately, she came prepared with her twin blades at the ready!

"Yaaaaah!" Kotono cries out as she goes in fast, slicing and dicing with her blades. "Anyone want some sashimi?" She calls out.

    Fukaziroh quickly gets bored with ship life, or at least ship work, and doesn't spend a whole lot of time up in the rigging. Besides, it's cold... so she'd much rather huddle around with others and be social. She even joins in with the bard to sing sea shanties, and even offers up her own entirely off-colour song about a pirate crew returning with their captain to sleep at his home. Much to The Captain's Wife's Lament. Some might be offended, amused, or both.

    When the ship is attacked, Fuka is fired up. She briefly considers, and rejects, using fireballs. Fortunately she's no idiot, realizing fire of that scale would do more harm than good. So she readies her axe. "Hey! I'd like to AXE you to leave in PIECES!" she shouts, slamming it down at a creature... and quickly losing her grip as the weapon skids against slime.

    "Ugh fine!" she cries, pointing. "Fiyaaah! FIYAAAH!" she shrieks, sending out bolt after bolt of small, almost ridiculously-aimed flames, somehow striking down attackers without putting the rigging and sails at (much) risk.

    The initial surprise of learning that she is, in fact, not heading back to Olympus's new headquarters, but rather to a completely unexplored land, has worn off by this point. Yuuki is still a little doubtful about spending an entire week cooped up on a ship though. She's already run circles along the ship's banisters, hung upside down from the rigging, challenged everyone on board to a duel (with no takers because it's not the best place for it) and get some betting going as to which disaster is going to befall them first before they reach their destination. So far 'Eaten by Leviathan' is the favourite.

    Tentacle monsters was not on the list, unfortunately. So it looks like no one has won the bet this time around. Yuuki feels like she's won though, because now there's monsters to fight!

    As the sealife begins to climb up onto the deck, Yuuki calls out from her spot standing up on one of the masts, "Monsters ahoy!" She then draws her sword and dives off the mast, falling down to land on one of the monsters and drive her blade into it. She then jumps off it just before it explodes into pixels.

    Landing on deck again, Yuuki grins and says with joy, "Wooo! Finally!" She rushes another monsters, her blade slicing into it multiple times as she goes to town on it.

Kaydon jumps into the fray immediately when the threat shows up. Perhaps he should have taken some time to assess the situation tactically before he threw down.

Too late to worry about it now, as he's already in the thick of it. He swings his blade as best he can, but a crowded deck is no place for a swordfight. He wishes he could have brought a deck axe, that might have gotten him some clearance!

Gwen has been helping out with the ship's cooking, both learning from and teaching eachother. She'd also been playing whatever games they had on hand. Or just hitting up Kau for songs, Thing go well until a few days in when monsters hit. Gwen is not happy she will start trying to set the damn things on fire. It doesn't go so well it seems someone's still working on her sea legs from the looks of it.

    Monsters abound, and yet the adventurers rise to counter the offensive! Kau starts things off with a rousing shanty that, in tandem with her conjured creatures, start to beat back the tide but start to fall maybe a little faster than expected.

    Kotono's attack takes quite a few out, actually. The aquatic creatures falling back into the water or into piles outright, depending on the attack.

    Fuka, boredom solved, the axe they bring to bear is just as effective as Kotono's weapons!

    The Champ, also known as Yuuki, finds themselves surrounded quickly, but problem solved just as quickly by their own skills with their weapons, taking out one to give her easy access to the rest.

    With the cramped space, Kaydon's thoughts turn out right. There's a lot of them, and not a lot of room for him. He'll get some good licks in but until the crowd is a bit more dispersed, he may be feeling a little claustrophobic.

    Hopefully Gwen doesn't set the whole Galeion on fire! The fire gets a little hampered due to the cold, but at least it sends a few of the aquatic beasts scurrying.

    For her part, Arashi is staying near the Captain, trying to make sure they stay safe in the face of the attack. While the war-horse may not be taking down a lot of the monsters, at least she is keeping them away from the ship's owner.

    Despite not being TOTALLY effective, the monsters finally decide the large ship isn't worth their time and start to retreat. Huzzah. The day is solved, for now at least. They'll harry the ship for a lot of the trip from here on out. Bleh. Watches are posted, rotations are established, and the landers will be on edge for the rest of the trip. Not fun. What's worse is those dark clouds on the horizon. Something the ship's captain is quick to point out. "Get ready for a ride! Do what you can while we pierce the storm! There's no going around it!"

"Well I don't know about anyone else, but I'm not eating sushi for a while." That could of gone better. That also could of gone worse, and they all ended up strung to the mizzenmast with blades in their bellies. Still the crew is a bit shaken over the next passing of time. Even knowing there is a destination ahead. It must of been even more harrowing for the initial expedition.

The captain points out the dark clouds and the rising winds. Kauchemar looks up just as thunder cracks. "... Oh, of course. Of course there is a sea storm." She rolls her eyes, but its into position and braces herself. A wave of an arm and her Binder Shield appears, which she takes up in both hands. "Get the non-essential men back below deck!", yips the Nightmare.

Then to the surprise of no one, again goes into song.

o/~ There once was a ship that put to sea
And the name of that ship was the Billy'O'Tea
The winds blew hard, the bow dipped down... Blow me bully bows blow! o/~

The winds howling isn't enough to drown her out, even as she uses the shield in conjunction with her own Water affinity to 'catch' one of the waves surging up over the deck and deflect it back out into the ocean.

o/~ Soon may the Wellerman come
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
One day, when the toungin' is done... We'll take our leave and go o/~

A storm on a ship. That is something Kaydon has dealt with before...But last time he was on a ship that was made of steel and the size of a small city. The point is he knows what to do in order to keep folks safe during a storm. He lashes down everything he can, makes sure all the crew that isn't below decks has a lifeline attached to the mast, and then continues to move around and make things as safe as he can. It's not a lot, nothing flashy. Just stuff that needs to be done.

    It seemed like they were in for a streak of good luck when the attacking sea monsters decided to finally leave for good. This turned out not quite so good, when in fact the ship was merely heading straight into a storm.

    "Okay, who cursed us?" Fuka mutters, tying herself down before things get too bad. She *could* use her surprising physical strength to just hold on, but she decides the crew needs help and so she'll be a little ... busy.

    Surprisingly, at least to her, it's her support and defensive abilities being most useful here. The spells, not the giant axe, which come in handy on the journey. This probably shouldn't come as a surprise, but it's also somewhat gratifying. Sinking into a magical trance, Fukaziroh summons a glittering shield, to protect as many nearby sailors from gusts and waves as possible, pushing it out windward, shifting it to intercept large waves and the like. It's a difficult spell, and not one she's particularly practiced at, but she seems to have decent instincts and a good grasp of what could help those near her the most.

Flexibility alone isn't going to benefit acrobats. They also need strength.

Fortunately, Kotono's done plenty of handstand push-ups in her spare time (sometimes balancing on her knives!) as well as some sit-ups and... you get the idea.

Kotono does her best to help out onboard the ship, and while it seems like she's struggling a little, in the end she manages to keep herself going! "We're gonna get through this!"

The monsters are handled one way or another. She does not thankfully set the whole damn ship on fire when the thing settles down, she'll make use of any of the meat drops. To make the crew something interesting for dinner so it's not a total waste. Also, Gwen seems very glum that it's cold she has a silly idea and may just go with it later until the storm hits. She'll do what she can to help with making ready for the storm, namely putting many of her shields spells to use to ward the ship and various aport but it might not be enough for her.

"We're stuck living in interesting times Fuka!"

    Yuuki is clinging to part of the ship's railing for dear life as it rolls up and down the massive waves in the storm. Every time it hits the bottom of one again to kick up a huge spray, Yuuki shakes her head to try and get rid of all the sea water she's drenched in. But then the ship hits a particularly bad wave and Yuuki finds herself thrown up into the air, a look of shock on her face as she soon begins to fall again...

    ... And disappears over the edge of the ship...

    ...

    ... "Heeeeeelp!"

    A cry comes from the side of the ship, revealing Yuuki to be holding on to a loose piece of rigging. The light Imp flaps around in the heaving of the ship and the heavy winds, occasionally getting dunked into the sea as grips the rope.

    Finally, with some help from the crew, Yuuki is pulled back up onto deck, where she collapses. Between the panting from the exertion she manages out, "That was... NOT FUN!"

    The storm comes in, hammering away at the vessel. Lightning flashes, the the thunder rolls, and the adventurers have a LOT to do. Kau is the first to act, chanting via song to provide shields for the vessel. One in particular even keeps a lightning strike from the mast. Huzzah!

    As the blacksmith called Kaydon rushes about the ship, ensuring safety for all and straps for the important, a lot of value is saved in both supplies and lives. It may not be the most glorious job, but it is an important one that a lot of people will appreciate once the storm has passed.

    Similarly, Fuka will have a lot of landers thanking her for the timely shields from the wind, waves. A particularly nasty wave sends the vessel tilting hard, but those barriers keep a fair number of folks from sliding past the railings.

    The seamstress aboard the vessel has made some really good meals. It has been helping morale quite a bit. When the storm strikes, however, the occasional shield doesn't hold up as well as some of the others. Double portions for those landers, Gwen. Get to it! .. After the storm, of course.

    As for the Champ? Well, being tossed by the storm and almost going into the churning, chilling, sea was probably not something they had on the itinerary today. Thankfully quick-thinking landers are swift to react to her calling from the ship's side, meaning Yuuki isn't left swimming until getting sent to the chapel.

    During the storm, everyone helps. Kotono is no exception! The training has paid off and it shows with what she does, errands to help folk, tightening ropes, securing supplies, getting to the places Kaydon may miss due to the chaos.

    Arashi, meanwhile? Still with the captain. One wave comes crashing into them both, sending the pair skidding for the rails. The mare catches herself, catches the captain, and hauls them both back up, with the help of a few others. Too close. Way too close.

    The storm starts to break, time starts to pass, the waves calm, and the people are exhausted, hurt, hungry, and otherwise. It's time to tend to the crew while the sea is kind and the monsters are distracted.. for now.

Kauchemar snorts softly. "Well, this isn't really my forte." The Were Fang looks around. ".. Ah!" She walks over, picks up a bundle of green plants, and holds it up over her head. "I found some herbs!"

A sailor comes over, nudges her, and whispers something in her ear. This gets a soft "..oh.." And sheepishly Kauchemar throws the clump of seaweed she'd mistaken for medicinals back over the railing. "NEVERMIND YOU SAW NOTHING!"

    Another problem that can't be solved with an axe. Or rather, no one wants to be amputated so Fukaziroh needs to not use her big weapon skill here. It's a bit of a theme really. She's a little low on mana, having used quite a lot of it defensively, but that's no excuse! The diminutive Sylph makes the rounds, slapping people on the shoulder to cheer them up, and even occasionally casting lesser heals.

    It's not certain which is more helpful, the cheer Fuka emits or the actual magic. Hopefully the sailors see her as more helpful than annoying, and hopefully she doesn't pound anyone's shoulder too roughly while they're actually injured around there!

Now Kaydon is no healer, and he'll be the first to tell you that, but he often still manages to use a little bit of healing light magic. It's nothing special, but it'll at least take the pressure off real healers for treating minor wounds.

    Yuuki is definitely not a doctor. She has a guy for that. She definitely doesn't use healing magic. She's not only an Imp, mortal enemies of the light magic, she's also not capable of ANY magic. So no go there.

    All she can do is help hand out the medicine. Which she does so, handing out batches of herbs from a jar, "Here you go. And here you go. You too. There's plenty to go around."

    The Landers seem to respond well, some even noting the rather nice taste of it, given the usual cliche of medicine tasting bad. Yuuki grins happily as she continues to help.

    One Lander, noticing the jar Yuuki is serving the medicine from, asks, "That's a lot, where did you get it?"

    Yuuki happily responds, "I found it in the galley!"

    ...

    Yes. Yuuki has been handing out a food seasoning.

    At least it's not poison?

Gwen would have to think about how she applied her powers and she redoubled efforts in the kitchen the food was at least good so that's some good news but as things settle down there are people in need of healing. The good news is she's totally set for that she'll gather those who need healing and will chant out the spell ending with "SCANTURARY!"

the deck glows white and people start to fin their injuries healing rapidly while under its effect at least that's Gwen's intention. Also when did Gwen relearn such a high level healing spell?

Kotono's no healer by default, but she has some light magic she can use. "Let's see if I can do something about this," She says as she brings up a few runes. "Shining a little light might..."

There's a flicker of light, almost like a firefly blinking briefly.

"OK, that wasn't supposed to happen..." Kotono seems disappointed.

    Most landers would agree, an axe is not effective medicine. Thankfully, Fuka going around and trying to help with morale is still better than nothing, surprisingly helpful for some, and appreciated by others. Adventurers aren't just murder hobos after all! What a wild idea.

    The occasional healing spell and assistance from Kaydon goes the same way. It is appreciated, and far better than nothing at all. Go team!

    The nightmare, however, is probably not the best one to go around trying to heal folk. The clump of seaweed goes over the railing with little issue, leaving most none the wiser. Probably for the best.

    Well... it is the thought that counts, Yuuki. And hey, some of them may get placebo effect! That's how it works in here right? .... RIGHT? ... Aaaaaaaaanyway...

    There's a lot of minor healing and morale boosting going on, but when the BIG spell comes out, and Gwen is the one to do it, a lot of the crew just looks relieved and refreshed, and even the captain noticed the spell's effects.

    An earnest effort is given by Kotono, and while it may have just been a light? People are trying, and for a lot that's what matters.

    Finally, Arashi has even stepped away to see how she could help. She -attempts- to make a splint for at least one lander but, well, she ends up needing some help with it. It isn't the best splint, but well, they tried at least.

    The next day? It's a long one. The ship seems to have entered into the doldrums and just... nothing is going on. No monsters, no wind, no waves, just the brutal sun shining from above and off the sea. ... Hmm. This may be hard in a very different way.

The answer, my friends, is blowin' in the wind...

Which is what Kotono provides as she invokes a little air magic thanks to her runes. This time, the wind actually picks up properly so that Kotono's magic isn't wasted. "Just gotta be focused is all!"

    Yuuki is flopped over a railing at the edge of the ship, swinging her legs boredly while she stares out at the deadly still sea...

    ...

    ...

    "Screw this."

    Yuuki hops back onto her feet, drawing her sword.

    Oh no, it's happened. She's snapped!

    Yuuki walks towards the center of the ship, menacing blade at the ready.

    She then spins around to face the bow, stepping back into an attack stance, her sword lighting up signalling the beginning of a Sword Arte.

    With a cry, Yuuki steps forward, thrusting her blade upwards towards the sail just above her. A large gust of wind blasts off the blade, picking up the sails and starting to add some wind power to the ship.

    Thankfully, it seems Yuuki is not the only one to get the same idea.

    Bringer of cheer, Fukaziroh is also a fairly competent magician. Seems that the landers (or are they still called that at sea?) have come to appreciate her abilities, heavy as they are with air and support magic. They even seem to like her admittedly terrible jokes, occasionally inappropriate songs, and roguish charm!

    But this, THIS is what she's literally here for. When the ship is becalmed, after a bit of time Fukaziroh gathers the crew together and teaches them a chant. Not a magical chant, but one of good cheer. "Good cheer brings good winds!" she insists as she claps and cheerleads like some idol singer of the sea.

    Of course, she also invests a spell or several into the effort, calling upon the wind. And she keeps on calling. This is easy for her, as one could charitably say wind magic is her greatest specialty. Uncharitably someone would call her full of hot air.

"Well, this won't do. This won't do at all."

Kauchemar looks over a railing at the water. She could... but no, too risky in what else could be stirred from the unseen depths.

She turns back to look over the ship, and then up at the sails as other people start putting the wind back into them. "Oh, that is much better. And probably safer, comparitively..."

Kauchemar strolls towards the rear of the ship, and with a short chant and several Magic Arte gestures summons a couple of Air Elementals to help with blowing the ship back into motion.

"This is what I call a filibluster!"

The trip goes ever onwards as they draw nearer and nearer to the Western Shore, she will at some point ask Kau to sing The Immigrant Song if she knows it. There comes a moment where she figures out how to use a cold resistance buff to get out on the deck for a bit and sunbathe in a swimsuit because of course, Gwen would try something like that.

Things keeps going on for a bit until laying there she gets an idea. She'll get her gear back on and start to cast making use of a spell of her own creation.

"DIVINE WIND!"

The wind will pick up when she does this and she gets a big old grin on her face but will it be enough?

Kaydon steps to the bow of the ship, and then looks out across the ocean. He's never had to figure out what direction to go, but he shifts into his were fang form and sniffs the air. Sea water, wood, more sea water, a seagull.

Wait.

"There's something that way!" He calls out, as he tries to get the attention of the captain or at least whoever is steering this thing!

    It's just so BORING out here. The captain does seem a little distressed. The storm did nothing to help, and in the meantime Arashi is pouring over maps and peering upward, despite the blistering sun. She has an idea but time to work on it is needed.

    The wind magic from Kotono is the first thing that starts to fill the sails. It's a big ship, and more will be needed to get moving, but a start has been provided!

    Some of the landers look toward Yuuki, frown, wince, even start to charge, but when the sword arte instead helps Kotono fill the sail, they refrain. Their expressions change, some even cheer! "C'mon, give it all you got!" The captain calls out. The ship's starting to move.

    With even more air applied to the sails, a majority of them are starting to give the ship some significant push. The captain gives the wheel a hard spin. Even the landers can feel the momentum picking up.

    Plenty of air, sure, but elementals? That changes the game. The ship gets a good shove, and the captain can use that to get them going in the right direction, once they HAVE that direction. Soon, hopefully.

    MORE WIND. All of the wind. That's the point the ship is getting to as it takes off along the sea's surface. The captain is mostly smiles, but keeps glancing aside at their maps.

    At Kaydon's call, both the captain and Arashi glance up, trying to make out whatever it is the blacksmith just saw. After a look through a spyglass, Arashi rushes back to the maps, looking, inspecting, is it there? Are they over yonder?

    Seems Arashi can't quite spot it on the map, but when the captain rushes over, she offers the warhorse a pat, points at a spot, gets a facepalm out of Arashi, and then spins that wheel hard once again. We have our course!

    As the ship is now fully underway again, the Captain's XO comes up from below decks, moving about, explaining that unless they get some more supplies from the sea, they may come up short on the voyage... Time to try and forage from the ocean waves!

Time for a little scavenging. Kotono's always ready to look around for food when the need arises.

"I'm not afraid to get my feet wet," Kotono says as she removes her shoes and her stockings before going in for a brief swim. She looks around and tries to get some seafood for the crew...

A few minutes later she comes back empty handed and looking a bit washed up.

    Yuuki is watching a Lander do the Knife Trick with his dagger. Once he is down, Yuuki applauds, then asks, "Can I try that?"

    Taking the offered dagger, Yuuki starts stabbing it between her fingers one after the other. She quickly picks up speed, doing pretty well! She finishes off to the applauding of the Landers. She proceeds to bow. As she does so, her headband flashes just ever so faintly...

    Yuuki loses her grip on the dagger in the process of her flourish. tIt goes flying off the edge of the ship to sink into the sea.

    Leaning over the railing to look in despair at the quickly disappearing dagger.

    There's a sudden and familiar dim flash of light...

    ... A window pops up in Yuuki's view:

        You have gained: 24 x Fish Fillets

    Yuuki blinks, "Huh..."

    Starving is bad. Like, really bad. This is something that works Fukaziroh up! She's suffered enough bad food for a LIFETIME! Or not enough food perhaps. The sad thing is, a lifetime of not enough food is not very long at all.

    So when the opportunity arises, she offers to help scout the islands. And fails miserably. Hopefully she acts as a distraction and drives some sort of goat or something at someone who's actually decent at hunting.

Kauchemar pinchs the bridge of her snout between two fingers. "Well, I don't mind the brimey depths, but I don't know about the rest of you... soooo."

She snaps her fingers, conjuring a sizable fireball, and dropping it into the water. For it to explode. Which throws up a bunch of water and steam into the air and gets several of the already jittery sailors more jumpy.

But no fish. Or anything else edible.

"Huh." Kauchemar shrugs. "Guess dwarven fishing doesn't work in this game."

Gwen has been able to make some entertainment for herself from various food to he taking up various games look if it comes to it she'll start playing some variant of truth or dare with spin the bottle. Heaven helps you all if it hits that thankfully there's enough wind going on with everyone's effort to get the ship on the way again. However, they seem to be running low on food? Gwen will make a note as an idea hits her hard tac if by some bizarre twist of fate the Landers don't already have it? Ships Biscuit would be useful or even more so if they do providing it to meet a likely upswing in demand might be useful.

FOr the moment though with food running low Gwen is going to start putting a lot of work into whipping up what she can in the kitchen to make what they have go farther.

Kaydon didn't bring any fishing gear. He'll have to try to do this the old fashioned way. He grabs a harpoon from his inventory and lashes a rope to it so he can fish it back out of the water.

It's too bad his aim is terrible. He never hits a thing with repeated throws.

    With supplies running low, it is time for the adventurers to step up and provide! Kotono does their best, but coming back empty handed? Disappointing, but sometimes that's how things go.

    Yuuki, however, is SUPER LUCKY. So super lucky in fact that they catch a whole lot of fish in one fell swoop. Huzzah!

    Island foraging? The captain seems fine with this. When the ship gets close enough, a few go off with Fuka. If the landers catch anything will be seen when they get back.

    Fireball? Into the water? Eeeh. The explosion is good but the light of the fire on approach scares the fish off before the explosion occurs. Alas, no food there.

    With what has been found, so far, by Yuuki, Gwen's managing to stretch it pretty far and in a nice and tasty way. The captain appreciates the effort, thus far.

    With a trusty harpoon, Kaydon stabs the sea. It just gives salt water back, sadly. Good effort.

    Arashi's next. Without any hesitation the dire-shire dives into the sea, drawing Starshadow as she goes. Time to see if she can make a big catch for everyone. She does in fact come back with some fish, but it isn't quite enough for EVERYONE to eat. She'll hand it off to Gwen, but pass on food herself.

    Not everyone gets to eat, the seas are terrible, and now the morale of the crew is on serious meltdown... the voyage is almost done. Can the adventurers pull together for one last push?

    Morale! Fuka's specialty! She goes arm in arm with Kauchemar (or is that hoof in arm? Bah), singing instead of supper. Unfortunately for her, despite her best attempts and boundless good cheer, her voice is almost as cracked as her head often seems to be, and Fukaziroh's singing comes off a little ... flat.

Trying to boost morale?

Fortunately, Kotono and her way of always looking on the bright side of things seems to have triggered something inside of her.

She gathers people around and begins telling them stories that are not only uplifting, but also have some funny parts in them too. This helps improve morale and bring a few laughs as well.

While Kaydon may not be officially skilled in brewing, what he is good at is making sure the alcohol is properly handed out.

It's running low, sure, but he can make it work, extending the amount of alcohol they have for a few days longer. It might not last forever, but even a little bit of grog can lift the spirits.

    Yuuki can definitely feel the lack of morale. It's been a tough trip... And Yuuki hasn't exactly had it easy either. Some of the others begin singing and telling stories to try and improve things. And it seems to be working! You know what would go well with this?

    Drink!

    And it seems that Kaydon has the same idea. So Yuuki decides to join him in handing the booze out.

    Yuuki is pops up from below, having retrieved one of the last few remaining kegs. She's just about to place it down when an errant wave causes the ship to tip just a bit. But it's enough for Yuuki to lose her balance and crash into the railing.

    The keg goes flying off into the water, to sink down for some fish to enjoy later.

    Sloooooooowly turning to face the death stares of some of the sailors, Yuuki laughs nervously, rubbing the back of her head, "Uhhhhh..." Yeah, she's dead.

It's okay, Kauchemar has got this. She knows how to deal with an audience that's feeling down and out on their luck. She doesn't even bother with her instrument, she just walks out onto the deck. Then stops.

A hoof starts to tap, beginning the beat. Her tail swishes as she sashaes to her own rhythm, building to something spunky and upbeat despite the dour mood. Even without her lute the song seems to come alive around her via the magic in bardic music itself.

o/~ Stamp on the ground... Jump, jump, jump, jump

Moving all around, Tep tep da dow
Stamp on the ground... Jump, jump, jump, jump
Moving all around, We're jumping all around o/~

A pause. Then
"DROP THE BEAT!"
The music swells, compeling those around her to start to follow along stomping and clamping, practically entranced by the song as Kauchemar gets fully into the dancing motion, even grabbing a random sailor to swing around with her.

o/~ We're sending out an invitation
To everyone in every nation
But don't sleep get on the run
Stop thinkin' and have some fun!

Stamp on the ground... Jump, jump, jump, jump

Moving all around, Tep tep da dow
Stamp on the ground... Jump, jump, jump, jump
Moving all around, We're jumping all around! o/~

Well Gwen did work at a US military base when she was known as Jenny and she picked up a few things from the Jarheads and whatnot there. She recalls a few drinks which by some luck the kitchens still have the material to make. So she starts making up various cocktails or just even spice rum to try and lift the sailor's spirit with something new and interesting. She'll hand them out to the captain and crew hoping this can help with some of the moral issues. She does this when their shifts are over obviously.

The trip was long and challenging, but Kotono knows that challenges can be overcome if the right approach is taken.

Wiping the sweat from her forehead, Kotono smiles. "We finally made it! We did it!" She gives a thumbs up to the others.

    Landers are tired, some are hungry, some are still hurt, some are tired of dealing with sea monsters between other issues. While Fuka's singing is ... well... not the best, it is still that effort and thought that ... might help. Maybe.

    The stories that Kotono starts to tell do the trick for a fair part of the crew, a small crowd gathering around just to listen.

    BOOZE. For a lot of folk, a little bit of liquid courage can go a long way. The stores may be low, but anyone on board is happy to get some when it is offered.

    With TWO people handing out the brewskies, the pair may find there was a hidden barrel down below. Why did they find out? The captain told them. That's why there ends up being PLENTY to go around. Then it goes overboard! Errr. ... Oops?

    The issue is resolved by Kauchemar playing That One Song. A good one, and one that had an equally epic video from the earlier days of the internet. Sure, landers may not get that part, but they can at least dance to it, as does plenty of others. Party? Party!

    And just when you thought this party couldn't get any better? Gwen manages to find a barrel of booze that was damaged, but it wasn't empty! Huzzah! Now there's dancing, booze, morale, and an all around good time!

    Arashi takes a long draw off one of the offered drinks, and in a moment of joy, she yells out what sounds like the start of a song. She gets a single word out: "DATABASE!" before, for some insane reason, Starshadow emits a blinding flash of light and when it dims the warhorse is hacking up a lung. Bad booze. Who put sea-water in this thing? Ugh. She'll just give a harmony part to Kau for Stamp for a few minutes. Once she gets her breath back. And while that song is jamming out for everyone, the Crow's nest issues a report.

        "LAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAND HOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

    Saved by the bell! Or the call, in this case.

    Yuuki's mishap is forgotten as land is spotted, the Imp looking visibly relieved. Both because it could have been a real awkward journey onwards after she just threw some of the last remaining booze into the sea. And because this trip has gone on WAY TOO LONG. Like seriously, who programs in an entire WEEK's travel time? A sadist. That's who.

    Finally the ship weighs anchor in the small cove where the makeshift camp has been set up by the first arrivals. Making her way off the ship and onto solid land again for the first time in a week, Yuuki simply flops over to lie on it, "Thank god THAT's over with..."

    And then Yuuki remembers she wasn't actually trying to get here, but instead back to Olympus HQ...

    "DAMNIT! I'm going to have to do that again..."

Well that was an... interesting trip to say the least.

The party may never stop, but it does need to move. A lot of people are just glad to be off the sea, and not having to think about going back out at least for a couple of days.

Kauchemar eventually strides into the makeshift base camp the first arrivals made, and raises her voice. Though this time it's not in song, at least not yet.

"ATTENTION! ATTENTION! The Dark Pony Express is now available for a limited time! If you have letters to loved ones or reports to officers to go back to Yamato, get them in now!"

Messenger needs to do her job, after all.

    The captain is pleased. The landers are thrilled. People start to disembark, but at this point, Arashi has one thing in mind. ... Well two. First, she gives the captain a heartfelt thanks, and then she's down to shore. Once there, she just transmits: "Shiruba, we're here." And then promptly just flops. On the Beach. By the waves. "Bluh."

Gwen does some pretty goodd work with the drinks and the otehr are doing all right she will pause at Arashi for a moment peering er her companion. Then she pause as she too spyrs the land she looks at he wing sadly if she could only fly with them even for a limited amount of time...still the Land of Dragons.

"One heck of a new adventure..."

    Okay, NEVER setting foot on a boat EVER AGAIN! Fukaziroh waits her turn to disembark patiently. Well no, actually she doesn't. She just heads to the rail, climbs up, steps out, and over. And tumbles to the pier below, possibly with the help of an air push to clear the water.

    She just lies there, in something of a heap. A sailor, concerned, comes up to her. "You okay, miss?" he asks. She lets out a sound that *might* be some kind of groan. Then she raises one hand, holding two fingers out in a V. Signaling she's okay? Not quite. Signaling victory. Land ho indeed. Don't mind her, she'll just lay here for a bit, enjoying the distinct solid non-moving land.

Kaydon watches the shore come in, and assists the group in getting everyone ashore. He can hear the communications coming over the chimlink, and he moves towards Arashi, "We're here. But I agree with you, maybe a night here on the beach might not be the worst idea before we head to the main camp."

    Seems Arashi is very content with the sand below them, and the waves. At least for now. "Just.. need a minute or 2..thousand."

Upon their arrival, Kotono prances off the ship onto dry land...

And then takes a bit of a tumble... and not the acrobatic type either!

"Owww!" She cries out as she rolls over onto her rear and then sits up. "Great, I got sea legs now." She sighs as she slowly stands up, trying to keep her balance. "Easy there, Kotono, you got this..."