Kintobor

"Based on my observation, this Hydra creature is keeping Gail alive. If we remove it, we are killing Gail." Zaria could not imagine the amount of pain Gail was in. It would be best to merely end her suffering and send her to the peace of the place where all journeys end. "And, I want it known that if given the opportunity to, yes, I would eliminate every Hydra on this ship. Creatures like this take away our agency. It was clearly warping Ilbery's memories, and it would do the same to us if given the chance. Some creatures must be put down to ensure our safety."

Zaria turns to Merei, grimacing. "I do not think we can just "remove" this... creature from Andrea without leaving her full of holes, Merei." Zaria uncomfortably grabs the gun from Andrea.

Harvest Week was original supposed to coincide with Thanksgiving, but I kind of like the idea that within this elven and dwarf week of observance Yol'Yum is also celebrated, and, as cultures are want to do, it got co-opted into Harvest Week observances.

"That will be up for you to determine, Polaris. Remember: you are not here to kill Harrigan. I merely want you three to investigate and return to me with a report." Ezra leads the trio through the ship the hold, the cargo access lowered as crew members hurry about unloading and loading on goods. The presence of frost and a blow of cold air alerts the heroes to the cold outside. "Best of luck, and may the gods show you their favour." Ezra says as the heroes exit the Satyr's Song and out into Docking Bay 3. They quickly find their way into the spaceport's interior and out of the cold. The scent of fresh breads and homemade meals wafts through the mezzanine as travellers of all sizes and shapes usher about, some bundling up and others loosening hats and scarves. Vendors sell Yol'Yum treats and pipping hot stews while the sounds of a country band echo through the building, their cheery music causing some to stop and listen. "And there was plums and prunes and cherries, There were citrons and raisins and cinnamon, too. There were nuts and cloves and berries, And a shell that was nailed on with glue. There were caraway seeds in abundance, sure to work up a fine stomach ache. It would kill a man twice after eating a slice Of Miss Ogarty's Yol'Yum cake!" The heroes quickly come to a bus terminal manned by a woman with thick rimmed glasses. Her uniform is neatly pressed and her gloves spotless of stains. Next to the terminal a duo linger around a cauldron overflowing with breads, fruits, and bottles of alcohol. The man in dark green robes is as pale as winter's snow, his fingers gnarled and thin. The woman wears a tattered, stained robe and carries a lantern in one hand and a datapad in another. "Yol'Yum tidings to all! Donate to the poor, the sick, and the needy!" "Harvest Week is here and upon us! Donate to those less fortunate! The Kindly Plague embraces us all!" The man slowly churns the cauldron as the elven woman looks up and motions for the heroes to step forward. "This terminal is open!"

Mission 8: Apologies for the delay. I've been doing some house cleaning and attending to a few other things. With the holidays behind me, I will have an update for you tomorrow. Thank you for your patience.

"Kirwin, I'll help you get to the terminal." Zaria moves to inspect the body slouched against the table.

Mission 8, I'll have an update for you tomorrow. I wound up being busy doing some housework and getting stuff ready for tomorrow.

--- The Satyr's Song rocks slightly as it's thrusters tilt in order to land at Docking Bay 3 in Zatharal. The porthole gives a glistening view of the city as ships lift and land among the shining spires and towers of the trade city. Beyond it, pristine lakes and great, grassy plains stretch into the horizon. A few lazy clouds roll through the pristine blue sky. Aluriel was the picture of beauty and serenity. The sound of the cabin door opening alerts the heroes of someone entering their temporary chambers. "Beautiful, isn't she? As much as I have seen, and as much done, Aluriel, sweet Aluriel, I find my way back to thee." Ezra looks out the porthole longingly, a sense of calm washing over him. "It may be hard to imagine this, but this planet wasn't always so beautiful, so pristine. It... is a scar on our civilization." Ezra looks down at the floor, thinking on something before his attention returns to the heroes. "I have what you three asked for: here's a picture of Harrigan from his wanted poster." He hands the group a holopad with Harrigan's likeness on it. He is dressed for combat in oily and menacing power armour; rivets, spikes and pointy edges have been modified into the armour to make him look more intimidating. His beard, unkempt and ragged, gives him more mass than he already had. Even in picture form, he oozed an intimidating aura. "Use this information however you will. Now then, if you will allow me, I will escort you down to the docking bay. Shall we?"

"I do not know how these two can be both the most unexpected and yet also the worst possible outcome, but Varuth is... certainly testing us." Zaria whispers to her comrades. She turns to the two officers. "I think we are all familiar with each other, so I think it is in our best interests to be amicable to one another. What are you two doing aboard here?" Zaria asks Duncan and Dean.

"This grudge has been present since the founding of the pantheon by the Republic, perhaps before that. History has not been too kind to certain historical records. It has led to incidents in the past, but I assure you, the church of Belaros was the instigator in every incident." Vielight assures the group. "This is the outcome when you have radicals in your midst. I would not be too concerned at the moment. There is unrest everywhere, but Irvator's light shines brighter than it has in some time." "I could!" Vielight responds with a smile. "If you continue to train and hone your mind, you could send me messages, too. Our devotion to the gods is what gives us these boons: her gifts given form to protect the beacon of civilization. It may seem odd that I am present on a ship full of privateers and spies, but their work is to ensure that shipping lanes are clear and that commerce and goods make it from port to port. The trade routes are the life blood of a healthy, prosperous civilization, and I am here fulfilling my vows as a priest of Irvator seeing that order and prosperity can be maintained in wild space." At the mention of Varuth, Vielight's tense shoulders relax. "Varuth's priesthood are... eccentric, to say the least. Irvator and Varuth tend to get along: Irvator builds the roads which Varuth travels down, after all! It is quite hard to have a joyful hotelier without measures put in place to keep that hotel up and running! You three should understand: your organization is situated in an old hotel if I recall." Vielight looks out one of the portholes, looking at the stars pass by. "We should be in Aluriel's atmosphere within the next hour or two. I will leave the three of you to sort out your gear and prepare for your mission." Priestess Vielight gestures with her hands respectfully before curtsying, her ceremonial jewellery jangling as she does so. "May Irvator's light guide you in times of darkness, and be a beacon of strength and resolve. May the sun's warmth be at your backs to blind those who would harrow the gates of peace and order." With one final smile, she departs the heroes, leaving them to prepare. Mission Master Note: Next update tomorrow will have you landing in Aluriel. Feel free to chat until then.

"I agree with you, Merei. I am quite interested in meeting the new visitors." Zaria grinned with intrigue. A part of her was curious to know who was present, but she felt a knot twist and tie in her stomach. She would not be the one to start a potential fight, but she would be the one to end it. She turned to the captain. "Where is the safest place for you to hunker down in until we have a better idea what is going on, Ilbery?"

Vielight's nostrils flare up as she crosses her arms, her arm bands and gilded pieces of jewellery clanging about as she does. "The teachings of Buloros are... antithetical to, and do not align with the teaching of Irvator. In fact, the two deities have long held a grudge against each other. Bularos is a deity of nature and of destruction. The church of Irvator has long seen him as a force of chaotic energy, even if Bularos is not a god of chaos himself. The teaching of Bularos lead the citizenry down paths of violent upheaval, time and time again: his belief is of cyclical change, of rebirth. As a goddess of order and civilization, you can see why Irvator has long held disdain for Bularos. Even when watered down, Bularos' teachings trample the garden of civilization and of order that Irvator plants and structures for us. In regards to your second question, well, I tend to spend a lot of my time meditating in order to send out a message using the Tongues spell. It is the most advanced casting of that spell, allowing me to communicate with anyone in the known galaxy. Aluriel has long used this method of communication between ships and it's spaceports, as it is safe and unable to be interred with. You three will likely be on your own on your mission."

Zaria ponders on the situation, thinking through the events that have transpired. "Ilbery, what did McSorley leave in to destroy the ship? Would it have been a standard Hart shuttle?" Zaria looked to the others in the Bridge, grimacing. This could be any number of groups, and not knowing who it was made Zaria uncomfortable. "If they have docked with the starboard airlock, they will likely be making their way to the bridge sooner than later; this is not that big of a ship."

"I understand that perhaps my response was not the one you were hoping for, Polaris, and I am sorry for that. Irvator considers these sorts of subjects be approached with caution, as the natural world, while needed and necessary, is dangerous and wild. It is a realm beyond her borders of civilization and structure. There is a "natural order" to nature, but it is chaotic and violent. The church of Irvator has... less than a stellar opinion on Bulorosi priests," Vielight states, obviously trying to sound as polite as she can about something she has little regard about, "but in this matter I feel like you would find more answers to what you seek speaking to one of them. Just- just promise me you will be careful around whomever you speak to, okay? Buloros is a chaotic god, whose teachings sow dissent. His priests can be dangerous. Is there anything else I can give my guidance on? I understand it will be a few hours before Aluriel still, but I have time for a question or two."

Zaria steps over to the terminal and peers over Kirwin as they work, curious about their coding prowess. "So, I think everyone here likely knows my stance on this Hydra creature." She says to no one in particular. "This thing is dangerous. It should be destroyed, but not before we get everyone off the ship."

Priestess Vielight takes in Polaris' statement, her eyes drifting off to the side as she thinks on the subject, frowning. "Polaris, I have heard of spirits before, but there are a number of different things that could be called spirits. Ghosts are the memories of the dead given form, and they are usually hostile in nature. There are also nature spirits, but they tend to lean more towards what we would refer to as fae. Irvator is the goddess of life and of the sun, of civilization and order. Her presence is least felt during the cold of winter months, as the rotation of the planets means she must tend to all gardens in due time. However, it is during these times where she cannot be as present as she wishes that we mortals must be vigilant and ensure that our families and friends are provided for. We build homes, roads, and farms for such times, and we anoint rulers to see that such things are built before the winter winds and storms arrive. If you are seeing a nature spirit in a winter storm in your dreams, than it is likely something of a chaotic nature, something that I fear will lead you down a path of destruction." Vielight ponders on her response before following up. "Against my better judgment, I feel you would be better off speaking to a priest of Buloros on the subject matter, although I must warn you: the priesthood of Buloros tend to be... anarchic."

Zaria placed a pair of fingers on her temple as she leaned on a computer terminal, careful not to hit any buttons. As the rest of her comrades interrogated the captain, she took a moment to investigate the wound where the Hydra-creature attacked her, looking for any irregularities.

Ezra shrug his shoulders. "I mean, it is a hypothetical possibility, Yelana. That is something you'll have to learn when you arrive in the village. You should be used to going in without all the answers; you are a field agent, aren't you, Yelana?" Ezra raises a curious eyebrow, holding back an inquiring frown. "Now then, if you three will excuse me," Ezra stands up from his chair, brushing his uniform down, "I have places to be on the ship. I will have you three escorted to your quarters for the duration of your stay and have Officer Vielight speak to you. Heroes of Heroica, thank you for indulging me and my curiosity." The captain steps outside of the cabin as the band finishes and begins to pack up. A few members of the ship's galley arrive to clean up the banquet feast as a junior officer guides the heroes to their quarters. Opening the door, he motions for them to enter. Freshly pressed sheets drape over a trio of beds. The glow of the overhead lights gives the room a comforting atmosphere, aided by the sound and smell of a brewing pot of coffee nestled on a counter top, complete with sink, utensils, and plates. A small group of couches surround a coffee table. Portholes give off a glimpse of the outside: the vast expanse of space. A knock echoes from the door to the guest room, opening up shortly afterwards. "Excuse me, I hope I am not interrupting anything?" Dayna enters the space, her jangling jewellery heralding her arrival. She smiles at the heroes as she closes the door behind her. "I heard from the captain you three wished to speak to me? Allow me to properly introduce myself. I am Dayna Vielight, priestess of Irvator. How can I be of assistance? Polaris?" She turns to look at the chimeran, perkily straightening herself despite her posture already accentuating her shapely figure.

"Well... I imagine like many forests on Aluriel there are a fair number of predators on the planet, but to my knowledge nothing more dangerous than wild carnalizards or dire wolves lair in the forest. As for how close it is to the crash site, reports state it was somewhat close to the town, but not enough to damage it in any means. Ah, it was on the Northern hills near Lake Aluriel, which Knothole Forest finds itself wrapping around from the south. Knothole village is to the south of Knothole forest." "I doubt you will have to drag anyone. Aluriel may not have the expansive public transit system Cosmopoli does, but it has its fair share of travel means. I imagine a shuttle bus or even riding carnalizards might get you to your destination. If you wish, I can have Vielight talk to you before we land. I am certain she would be more than happy to discuss matters of faith with: it's the one thing she can't get many people on my ship to listen to her about." Ezra shakes his as he smiles.

Zaria begins to walk off the bite wound, holding a hand out to Varen. "No, no, I do not need any of your alcohol. Thank you, though." Zaria reaches for her metal bottle of water attached to her belt. Unfastening the clip, she drinks from it heartily, wiping her mouth with her arm. "I do not know how I feel about such a move, Kirwin. We do not know if the captain has been cured of... whatever those things were. I think the last scenario I wish to be in is one where we are stuck on this ship." She reaches for an aetherbrew in one of her pouches and holds it out for Merei.

"If you wish to speak to Communications Officer Vielight, I can arrange a meeting with her in your quarters while we await arrival on Aluriel." "Knothole is a co-op town. in recent years it has been a centre of farming in the prefecture it resides in, Kaerowain. The town lies on the edge of Knothole Forest, an old an gnarled expanse of trees that managed to prevail the destruction of the planet. Many different visitors from outlying communities and farms will be congregating on Knothole in order to celebrate." Ezra's eyes narrow at Yelana's remark. "That has already been accounted for. I am not dropping you off in Knothole, rather in Zatharhal, a spaceport in the Fharwundi prefecture. You will be travelling to Knothole on your own. Knothole is closer to Fharwundi's administrative hub of Zatharhal than Kaerowain's, so you won't be travelling too far."

"You can call it whatever you please, Yelana. Curiousity, pragmatism, paranoia- my answer is sufficient for your mission." Ezra crosses his arms and leans back in his chair. "Oh, I'm doing quite well, ma'am. I am sorry, but I need to be off. Things tend to get quite hectic around here for me at times." Yelana Stealth Check vs. Ezra Perception Check: (2,2,3,5+1 Success) Two Successes vs. (1,3,4,5,6) Three Successes Yelana Insight Check (DC: 1): (3,4,5,5) Three Successes Yelana gets the feeling that Vielight and Ezra have a friendly relationship, but nothing romantically involved. As she attempts to glance at the note handed to him, Ezra crumples it in his hand. "I would prefer it if I did not have prying eyes in my private communications, Miss Yelana." As he says this, Yelana can see that the note Ezra was writing has been moved into his pocket. "I am certain you sympathize?" He raises an eyebrow inquisitively.

Zaria winces at the sound of the shrieking as she considers covering her ears. Out of the corner of her eye, she witnesses the tendrils slither towards the decapitated creature, catching her off guard with the grisly image long enough for the previously defeated creature to bite her leg, just behind her ankle. She writhes in the sharp pain as she turns, scowling. "You little-!" Zaria takes one more wide slashing motion towards Creature C, looking to sever the thing in half.

"Indeed. Priestess Vielight is a talented wielder of divine energies. In order to communicate with many of Aluriel's communication towers, we require an individual with enough knowledge and skill to cast a powerful version of the Tongues spell from our vessel. She has spent much of her life at the Broadbeacon Temple on Gharlaran, and joined my crew three years ago. She's not much of a fighter, but she does know quite a bit about religion and cultures. If you would like I can have her speak to you three if you wish. As for being stuck in this room, no. I am going to place you three in the guest chambers. If you need anything, I will have someone attend to your needs. You must understand, Polaris, that as much as I would like to allow you to wander around the Satyr's Song, two things prevent me. First, this is a war vessel. It is designed for combat, and I do not want you snooping around her. Secondly, and do not take offence to this, I do not entirely trust you, or any of you. You are third party agents acting on behalf of Ark Victoire. Should you three prove yourselves trustworthy, I will reconsider my stance on the matter, but for now I cannot have you looking around the Satyr's Song. You will have access to washroom facilities should you need them. Anything else?" Ezra pulls some parchment from his uniform and begins to scribble something down.

Zaria turns on her heel and charges the last remaining creature, moving to E1 and taking a wide swipe at Creature C. "Merei, Kirwin, move in and help Varen! I will handle this."