Open Chronicles The Great Winter Sailing

[Jonathan Burr]

The Great Winter Sailing

​

Volta, the City of Lightning, was preparing for a great and grand week indeed. The city, being seated on a massive copper deposit next to the sea, was in a perpetual storm of electric activity. The soil, though it meant no crops could grow, was the secret to the city’s success. Yes, the land outside of Volta was barren for miles. To the uneducated it would seem a death trap, a land fallow and streaked in copper poison that killed whatever plant dare lay root there. Her defenses were equally as intimidating, gigantic spires of metal that rose to the sky and called down terrifying bursts of lightning. The tension was incredible, and any man or creature who wore metal on his person was soon to find himself fried to a crisp.

To the Voltese, it was a way of life. Their city was devoid of all metal. Buildings were elegant constructions of stone and wood. Glass featured heavily in construction, pulled up by Transmutation mages from the beaches and underwater sands of the coast. A glassworker’s dream of windows, hanging signs, jewelry, spectacles, spy glasses, and even in purely ornamental arrangements next to the buildings.

Volta prided itself on magic, and one only had to take to the streets to see it. Black clad mages employed by the city and identified by the yellow numbered ribbons on their cuffs, cultured light. Street lamps were lit day and night by these mages, and more astoundingly...words. Ingenious glassworkers had twisted delicate tubes into wording, which were filled with magelight to produce words that glowed. It was a wildly popular form of advertisement, and every shop that could afford the costly instrumentation did so.

This was most notable on the brothel, a towering building of over three stories with thick tube lettering down the side of one corner. Electric Dreams was it’s name, shouted loudly in bright pink magelight that had its own private mage dedicated to its upkeep. The brothel was an unusual one; mages schooled in a secretive illusion practice were kept here. One could have any desires one wanted, crafted carefully into a curated dream. The men and women inside, however, paid dearly for this talent. Each mage’s legs ended just below the ankle, often ornamented in carved wood decoration meant to draw attention away from the mutilation.

Brothels were not all on offer today.

Today was an event that Mayor Emelia Bram looked forward to. The mages of Volta worked tirelessly, and once a year, they aided in an ambitious industry for the University.

The capture and study of lightning.

Today, mages from all over Volta would gather and direct the storms to unleash their fury onto ships constructed precisely for the event. Ships with spires of copper, and copper woven into their sails. Ships meant to net lightning like other men netted fish. It took dozens of mages to contain such a ferocious force of nature, but the study of lightning was critical to the University. They wanted to know what caused Arethil to unleash such bolts of energy. They wanted to capture and touch and study what they believed were the very roots of all magic.

Consequently, the entire city was in uproar. The streets had been lined with gaily colored ribbon, and illusionists made tiny scraps of paper float from the sky to disappear harmlessly on the cobblestone. It was a veritable snow of color. The people were out in force as well. Open air restaurants flung their doors open, welcoming anyone to sit on stools and enjoy every type of cuisine. Even the infamous Sugarcane, a wildly popular confectionary, had set out a booth. Enchanted chocolate rabbits bounced around a glass case, flanked by hurricane jars taller than a troll that held every flavor of candy stick. Huge barrels of a Voltese specialty, saltwater taffy, were on display. Citizens crowded the streets, waiting for evening when the clouds would inevitably gather and the mages would aid their brave sailors. Every man who could afford a seat on the docks would be there. Every race, from the smallest halfling to hulking trolls and orcs, was welcome and embraced.

Visitors to the city would be encouraged to check in metal objects either at the various small booths dotting the border, or at the Office of Conductivity just inside the city gates to the right. The Office was happy to store any weaponry or metal items in thick wool batting, and provided leather fobs to visitors to check their items in and retrieve the correct amount. Similarly, currency could be exchanged here, so that metal coins didn’t attract electricity and zap the poor tourists. Gold was exchanged for glass, silver for dark walnut, and copper for white pine.

Volta was a city that prided itself on multiculturalism, and nothing made that so obvious as the banner flung across the entrance to the city:

No Gods or Kings, yet Knowledge.

OOC: Welcome to Volta! This event is open for all to enjoy! Please, explore the city until nightfall when the show begins. All races and creeds are welcome...just remember to strip your character of metal!

 

[Selina Della Altas]

Selina Atlas approached the city, dressed in her usual dark traveling robes and a tall pointy hat with a wide brim. She carried an intricately carved and decorated wooden staff which bore magical runes and other symbols. She tied her long black hair up under her hat and stared with shocking blue eyes at the city of Volta.

This city was poisoned. Not a single plant grew within sight of the city unless it was in a pot. Thus animals were also scarce unless they were the kind to thrive in such desolation as the surrounding countryside.
While she was with the witches coven she would have let herself get angry at this unfortunate landscape... But her thirst for knowledge and love of magic of any kind drove her to a giddy sort of excitement as she arrived at the city gates.

Stories didn't do this place justice. It's towers and spires were awe inspiring and the apparent level of scientific and magical advancement that she could see just from the front gate was absolutely staggering!

"Please remove all articles of metal. We'll happily exchange any coins you have as well for your safety in the city."
Selina barely heard the guard at the booth as her eyes darted from one wonder to the next. She dropped a bag of gold on the table and her hands darted through every pouch and satchel she had on her, her fingers instinctively finding every metal magical component she possessed and placed them one by one by one on the table. If this was the price of entering the city she would pay it gladly and more for the privilege to simply glimpse those magical lights!

She kept piling up tiny metal scraps of different materials in front of the guard and his widening expression of disbelief. Bits of iron, copper, silver, electrum, gold, platinum, steel, aluminum... All with alchemical and magical uses. As she placed the last of her arsenal on the table she had amassed quite a pile and the guard had a crushed and defeated look on his face as he looked forward to packing and organizing all of these objects.

Selina was finally allowed into the city. She promised herself not to get too excited about everything, she swore that she would not gush over every little thing she saw... She passed a magical street light without losing her marbles... Alright, so far so good...
"By the gods of science and magic is that a glass sign with lights in it????!!!!!"
... Welp... at least I tried...

She bolted to the sign of a simple clothing store and gawked at the intricacies and delicate construction of the advertising sign. She instinctively recited a simple cantrip for identifying magic and analyzed the construction of the rather simple enchantments, but in spite of the simplicity she was in awe of the amazing effect it had on the glass.
Her eyes were glued for only a moment before another sign caught her attention and she ran across the street to investigate that one to see if it was the same as the first. She had a stupid expression of unbridled and childlike excitement and wonderment... It was as if dreams had finally been realized for her and it literally brought tears to her eyes, and not just because she was staring straight into bright lights.

 

[Jonathan Burr]

A mage smiled at Selina as she rushed up to the clothing store. He was clad in jet black, with the lightning bolt seal of the city on both shoulders and his back in gold thread. He had a yellow ribbon stitched to each robe cuff that identified him as simply #734, owing to the staggering number of mages Volta’s government employed.

“Miss? I wouldn’t stare right at those.” He told her gently, with an amused smile. “The magelight can damage your eyes if you’re not careful. If you’d like to learn more, you’re always welcome to visit the University of Volta. It’s...well you can’t miss it.”

The mage pointed down the street toward the eastern half of the city, dominated by a gigantic glass dome. That was the main library of the University of Volta, and could be seen from practically anywhere in the city. “They’re open to visitors today.” He clarified.

The University was indeed open to visitors. It had a sprawling lawn in front of it, with imported soil that grew every type of plant and tree imaginable. The quad was filled with fragrant flowers from the jungles, lovingly spritzed by members of the House of Medicine. Desert plants were artfully arranged in a bowl of warmed sand. Temperate plants lined each side of the quad, hiding the stone University walls from view. On the lawns, students were demonstrating the accomplishments of the college whether it was star charts and feats of crackling magic by the House of Electroalchemy, new and exotic herbs from the House of Medicine, or new inventions from the House of Business.

One interesting such invention was a barrel filled with an ultra cold slurry of cold water and salt. When fresh water was poured into the inner glass lining...ice formed. Proud of their invention, the students were eagerly offering chilled glasses of lemonade. The House of Medicine was touting cures for venereal diseases, as well as beautifully artistic watercolors of anatomy. The Electroalchemy students, always there to steal the show, were making lightning arc between two glass globes filled with salt water and rods of metal.

Selina Altas

 

[Aofinta]

It was a marvel upon marvels. Ao would not have thought that any building here was borne of nature, so elaborate, so intricate, so complex it all stood before and around her.
It was a far cry from the (literally)little, quaint towns she barely got used to elsewhere on this foreign and alien continent.
Nothing here was like in the Firelands. Land of eternal heat.

This was the land and city of e n e r g y, and she couldn't quite pinpoint the funny feeling it gave her.
This fuzzy feeling all over her and her hair. Caomh, her thunderer was less than impressed. Barely making it halfway through the entryway without heavy coercion from the giantess. Only later did it continue on it's own feet, now greeted by many strangers that never seen this class of beasts called 'thunderers', for their might and weight deems such a grand name.
The irony of the naming in this situation, Caomh was too stupid to understand. (And likely the culmination of the event would be displeasing to it)

»Oh Caomh, I don't know where to start, maybe I should take an imprint of this situation? So I could share this marvel back at home.«

Caomh only looked away in disinterest, maybe he was hungry?

 

[Selina Della Altas]

As the mage pointed out the university Selina's mouth practically went dry.
"Pinch me... Either I'm dreaming or I died and went to heaven!"
She thanked the mage and hoisted her bag of belongings over her shoulder as she immediately made her way in the direction of the university. The whole way there she was in awe at everything she saw, pinching herself at every corner to make sure she didn't pass out at the last intersection and merely imagined the wonders she saw.

She didn't even make it half way to the university before she sat down on a bench simply in awe at the entire city, tears in her eyes she knew that she could live here and that she could never leave until every secret was discovered and filed away in her mind.
On the flip side she almost didn't want to learn all the secrets and let this feeling of wonderful bewilderment fade away.

She sat there for a long while, just staring at everything with wetness collecting in her eyes and streaming down her face.

 

[Jonathan Burr]

There were polite greetings to the giantess and her creature, but even the Voltese couldn’t really resist a good stare. Giants were rare, and the creature with her none of them had ever seen! The guards nodded politely to her as they squeezed past her thunderer, and traffic was giving her quite the wide berth. Less out of a fear of her, and more out of respect and a wish not to startle the great animal she had with her.

A person did come up to her, however. The elf smiled up at the giantess and offered her a basket. “Welcome to Volta! We haven’t seen giants here in quite a long time. I run the local stables, just there on Mandrela Street. Our horses like these cookies made from oats, dried fruit and molasses. Might your companion appreciate them too?” She asked. Of course, there was a bit of nervousness drumming up new business like this...but visitors to Volta were supposed to be welcomed with open arms. Heavens forbid she offend the giantess by showing her fear.

A few people were genuinely interested in her thunderer, pausing to look at the beast. None of the attention seemed to be hostile, and a harried-looking student from the House of Medicine was furiously sketching the creature with a quill nib.

Selina, likewise, wasn’t alone for long. Halfway to the University was a slight shift in the construction of Volta; more references to the sea, shops advertising dry goods, or services like ship repair. Sailors were also common, but not in the way most people thought. Instead of hauling fish, these men were hoisting gigantic copper and glass tubes. Inside, before the sailors deftly wrapped the offending metal in wool, lightning crackled from its cage. The Voltese trafficked in salt, ice made from salt water, and it seemed the very lightning the city was named for.

“Miss?” One of the sailors left his duties to wander to her on the bench. He was clean, if smelling thickly of the sea and ozone, with a cigarette dangling from his lips. “You doing alright?”

“Fuck’s sake Oleg stop flirting with the tourists!” One of his fellows shouted at him. “We’ve got to get the sails re-wired before tonight and all of the god damn mages are busy playing theatre troupe!”

Oleg grinned sheepishly at Selina. “I’m not so lucky that you’re a mage, eh? If you are we could use the help.”

Selina Altas
Aofinta

 

[Aofinta]

Caomh has gotten used by now of all the attention such a beast of his assumed prestige acquired. As tall as a two-story house, as long as a sloop. No elephant nor rhino could compare, only beasts of real myth and the dragon-kin could describe this oddity.
And where it placed its foot, everyone felt it. Yet it's docile nature was worth admiration.

The giantess, on the other hand, nodded to the elven lady. »I would be happy to go and see, «

»Of course. Caomh, come, look at what the miss had promised you. Surely you would like to treat yourself too.«
The stables would be quite spacious enough for the thunderer to relax, and perhaps refresh himself too.

 

[Selina Della Altas]

The sailors almost didn't register in her mind until one came up and asked if she was alright.
She nodded and wiped her tears on her sleeve.
"Y-yeah... Just a little overwhelmed is all. Don't mind me."
She smiled innocently at the sailors interacting with each other.
The sailors were busy preparing their ships for something that required wiring and mages. She wasn't an expert, yet, but she could put two and two together when the sailor who checked on her asked if she was a mage.

As far as definitions went she couldn't necessarily call herself a mage, a mage was usually one talented or blessed by magic in some way, one who worked alongside magic or possessed some invisible pool of restorable Mana to draw from. She wasn't a sorcerer in so far as she's inherited absolutely no magical heritage, lineage, or bloodline within her.
What best described her was the term "wizard", one who learned to use magic through intense learning, practice, study, the use of magical items that attract the flow and allow them to use their spells.

But as far as the term referring to one who was able to use magic? Sure, mage would do.
"Yes, I actually am! What do you need help with?"

 

[Jonathan Burr]

The stablemaster smiled at the giantess and her companion. “Of course! Please, come with me. You’ve traveled a long way. Surely your companion would like a bath and some fresh hay and fruit? There are many tourists here for the Great Sailing, and I’m afraid most stables are either unable to accommodate you or filled up. Not so for the Grand Mandrela. My name is Howya, the owner and proprietor.” She winked, and led the way.

The Grand Mandrela was a squat but long building of dark, rich wood. While there were offices on a second story with generous windows offering views of the sea, the first story was entirely open air and taken up by animals. Much like the shops that catered to larger creatures, the walls of the stables were linked slats that could be drawn aside like curtains. It made the second story appear as though it merely had a skirt hiding stone column legs.

It was a lively place. Horses of all breeds were enjoying a currying, rub downs, baths, having their shoes and teeth checked, and their feet carefully checked. “Since their shoes make contact with the ground, they’re not in as much danger as the rest of us,” Howya explained as she led the giantess and her thunderer past the horses. Some races rode large wolves or cats, which had their own stalls and attendants. Devourers napped lazily in larger stalls that could accommodate them. The largest stalls were at the far left of the building, and there were only three. One was filled by a Devourer family visiting for the Sailing; two small pups pushed out of their mother’s pouch and eagerly tumbled around the entrance to look at the thunderer.

“Everyone here is fed twice daily, and there is a Professor from the House of Medicine that comes by to check anyone for medical issues. Of course, I think he’ll be thrilled with your friend.” Howya beamed at the giantess, gesturing to an open stall next door to the Devourers. “How can I help him, and you? Fresh hay? Would he like a bath? Someone to attend to his teeth or nails?” She pointed to a large stone area across the way, fed by a cistern, where a large draft horse was enjoying a bath. “Feel free to groom him there if you wish to take care of him yourself. I know how people get.”

Howya set her basket on her hip and grinned at Aofinta. “The charge is two glass nel a day, or the gold coin equivalent. I’ve got enough permanent residents here, and I’ll probably charge coin to the University so the House of Medicine doesn’t have every green healer in here gawking.” She chuckled.
_____________

“Oleg for fucks sake!”

Oleg’s face split into a wide grin at her answer in the affirmative. “Well, Miss, come on over and meet the others.” He offered her a hand, nodding over to the group of men. They were attempting to wrangle massive spools of copper wire covered in wool batting, and they looked rather harried. The copper was heavy, and dangerous to have sitting for too long.

“Boys, this is...eh, sorry miss, didn’t catch your name? Well, she’ll be helping us with God’s Thumb. It’s our ship, you see. Last storm tore the sails clean in half, just split them like a bad lemon, and burned all of our copper rigging to cinders. So we have to get this copper back through the new sails, and make sure everything tracks right for tonight.” Oleg explained. “We harvest lightning for the city. You know, for the University to study. Tonight’s supposed to be the biggest storm of the season; can feel it in the air. Black clouds rollin’ in over the waves, headed right for us. We gotta be out there catching that lightning, netting it.”

He patted her back. “So what we need you to do is test out the system so to speak. Send a little magic down the rigging and into the crucible, so we know it won’t hit the ship and burn us all to a crisp.”

“That right, miss? You gonna help us with this nonsense?” Another sailor asked her, hefting the spool with the aid of two other men. “Come on then, they’ll be wondering if we didn’t nip off to Electric Dreams if we stay too long.”

Selina Altas
Aofinta

 

[Aofinta]

With a click, Caomh began to follow Aofinta as they travelled elsewhere with the lass.
The stables were filled to the brim with various animals and creatures, some she saw a myriad, like the horses who just like caomh, were long-faced beasts of good companionship and travel.
While other beasts seemed rarer, like the larger felines of which she only ever saw smaller ones. Or the devourers who were new in all their appearance.

»I believe we'll be taking the spot, though Caomh is my dearest companion and I'd dare not leave his place for too long. A refreshment will do just fine for now. He must be starving, now, « the giantess turned to her thunderer, chuckling in her native tongue; »now aren't you starving.«
Caomh seemed to bob his head.

 

[Selina Della Altas]

Spoiler: OOC

Is Oleg the same guy in the link? He's massive!

"Selina." She introduced herself as she was led over to where the men were working.
She examined the rigging and listened to the task she was needed to perform. Thankfully she still had her staff or else she would be out of luck magic wise.

"I think I understand... You use your sails to attract lightning being the tallest conductive object on the water... And these wires guide the lightning to whatever you use to store it. Amazing!"
She didn't have a lightning spell that was safe for this task, she could summon a lightning bolt but it was far too powerful for a mere test.
She would have to modify the spell a little to scale down the power of the bolt, taking away its ranged aspect and adjusting it's capacity to leap to anything metal besides her target. Her hand would essentially become electrified and provide a current.

She pulled out her thick bound spellbook and opened to the page she desired, she calculated out the changes marking down notes in the book and scribing out her new spell.
Once finished she quickly memorized the resulting formula and closed her spellbook.
"I'm ready whenever you are, gentlemen."

 

[Jonathan Burr]

Howya chuckled and undid a key from her belt. It was glass, but rather robust in its construction, and had been magically reinforced to resemble the properties of iron or silver. Aofinta wouldn’t have a problem being a little rough with it, even at her size. “Here’s the key to his stall. If you like you can keep it open air, or if you’re worried about anything or he gets a bit stressed, you can close it up and lock it. I’ll have them bring by some hay and oats for him.” She said happily, handing Aofinta the key.

Howya patted the giantess. “We’ll take good care of him. Please, enjoy the Sailing.” She headed off, and attendants soon came in. They filled the trough with a mixture of grains and dried fruit, and hung a bag of tough hemp rope with an entire bale of hay in it. The attendants gingerly patted Caomh as they filled a water bucket with clean, cool water. “That’s a good...eh...what is he, if you don’t mind me asking?” One of the attendants asked Aofinta.

___________________

“Exactly miss.” Oleg grinned. The men hefted the spool and began to walk down to the docks. The docks were a short way, but they were sheer chaos. Hundreds of containers for the lightning were being loaded onto a fleet of ships. There were at least fifty individual vessels, and Oleg made a bee line for a grand old ship that had her sails pulled.

“Captain! I found a mage to help us set the sails!” Oleg called up the stairs from the deck.

A harried looking blonde woman hurried down them. She had her long hair yanked back and tied with a leather thong, sturdy canvas breeches and a coat cut to her figure. She had thick leather gloves on, which had been coated in a strange substance. She offered her hand to Selina. “Ah good! Captain Velori, good to meet you. The men will get the copper wire threaded through fast as we can; you see the clouds? We don’t have much time. Few hours at best.” She grinned, showing a gap where one eye tooth should have been. “Here, take these.” Velori yanked off her gloves and offered them. “Rubber, from the outlying islands. Insulates the plants against lightning strikes; we coat our gloves with it. Can definitely save you if you’re working the lines and we get hit.”

Oleg and his men worked quickly. The copper wire was pulled out, in lengths to match the sails, and cut to form. A netlike pattern was affixed to the canvas, and painted in more liquid rubber to prevent it from catching fire. The rubber would prevent the copper from arcing and catching the rest of the ship. Velori supervised the process, letting Selina know what the men were doing and why. “I figure we’ll owe you a can or two of lightning for the trouble. It’s hard as hell to find a mage to help test things...going out there without testing the sails is bloody suicide.”

Selina Altas
Aofinta

 

[Melaniphi Syllis]

“Wait!!” Melaniphi was running down the street. She was so late! Captain Velori hates things that played with her schedule..She had asked for a healer a few days ago. The ministry they usually received replacements from was being.. difficult.. as usual..

So they needed someone to stand in. Maxine went back a small way with the captain from her families smuggling days and Melaniphi was once again offered up as aid. Contracted of course. She was getting paid, but at a reduced fee. “Friend prices.” The grandmaster had said. And it wasn’t in coin. It was in tubes of lightening.

The legion had a few weapons that hadn’t been used in the decades following the collapse. Maxine wanted them back up and running.

Melani didn’t care for the how or why, She had a job to do and she would do it. Laser like focus was her goal! However the hadn’t counted on where she would be going.

The city of Volta had been stunning.
So much magic advancement and achievement! Granted she had been a couple of times in her studies but each time felt fresh. A new vendor or advancement..

So many colors and cultures both in the people and the beautiful signs most businesses had. She had traded in her jewelry and dagger along with various other metal bits and ends and finally metal framed glasses for a delicate model made from glass and wood. For once they didn’t slide down her nose. Lucky for her much of the items in her massive satchel were glass or plants or she would have been there all day.

As for coin the exchanging process was rather quick. She rarely carried much on her but the expense of a night in an inn if something stalled her travel. So with her modest amount of coin exchanged she had made her way through the city. That was when the distractions took hold.

Soon she found herself gawking at the sights and sounds. It wasn’t until an hour passed that she remembered her task. What if they had already left! She squealed and took off down the streets. Pulling out a list of directions Maxine had given her. Reading through them she made her way ever closer to her goal.

The final phrase underlined 3 times quickened her pace. “Don’t Be Late!”

Finally she came to where the ship was docked. A man undoubtedly a sailor and a woman who seemed to be a mage. She ignored them both instead making a bee line for the captain coming to a clinking stop in front of her out of breath.

“Sorry..I know I’m...late..” She managed between breaths. She had turned in her armor so she wore a casual white shirt and black leather pants cut to her figure. The Steel Legion insignia emblazoned across its back with the word “Syllis” stitched across the back.

The front bore a simple shield with two Roman numerals matching the tattoo on her right forearm. 7 black bands ran up her right bicep. Years of service. 7 tick marks on her left forearm to mark confirmed kills. Even the healer who was trained almost from birth to care and protect people was marked for war.

What she and others in her unit usually wore the same under their armor.

Her boots had lacked the usual metal plating that Steel legion combat medics wore. But they weighed her feet and figuring this mission to be peaceful she had brought her casual pair. When realizing where she was going she had been glad for the assumption.

Producing a scroll and handing it to the captain. “Melaniphi, Healer second class of The Steel Legion. Elbion chapter..” She wheezed before finally catching her breath and straightening up. “I’m here to temporarily replace the healer you lost last voyage. Maxine sends her regards.” She said with a slight salute before the full weight of what she was seeing registered.

Maxine had said things like “ship.” And “voyage.” But It hadnt occured to Melaniphi on the way into the city. She was helping on a ship and getting paid in lightening...

Oh no..

Not one of THOSE ships..

No wonder they had lost a healer..

She pushed the fear from her mind with a small shake. “So I only need to know where I can place my things and what will be expected.” She finished nervously fidgeting with the strap of her medical satchel idly clinking with the supplies she carried.

“P-please...Captain.” She added at the raised eyebrow Velori was already giving her.

 

[Jonathan Burr]

Captain Velori fixed the girl who rushed up to them with an annoyed gaze. She didn’t like being interrupted, especially when they desperately needed a mage to test the sails. She couldn’t have girls running up willy nilly; they were getting underway soon! She pursed her lips and nodded to Selina. “Please, go see Oleg to prepare for the test. I don’t want to test time on this.” She said politely. “If you would stay around to aid us if a sail needs to be repaired in the middle of the journey, I’d appreciate it. If you can’t, I understand, but there would be additional coin in it for you.”

Her business finished with the mage, she turned to the nervous looking healer handing her a scroll. She took it, and read over the scroll. “Melaniphi Syllis. You’re late.” She said sharply. “If we’d have shoved off without a healer, do you know what could have happened? I’ve hauled in men burned black and screaming until they tore their own throats. Others with brains so scrambled they tipped overboard and drowned, or opened canisters and let the whole shop go up. Being late in this industry costs lives, Syllis. Lives, time and coin.”

Velori sighed, and gestured toward the stairs. “My advice to you is get below deck and prepare for the worst. We do our best to protect ourselves, but when bad things happen they happen quickly. You’ve got to be prepared for burns at best, and men screaming to be put out of their own misery at worst. The crew here have all signed documents to some degree or another stating what they’d like done if they can’t communicate their wishes. That’ll be in the healers quarters downstairs, just next to my own.”

The ship was constructed rather oddly. Normally a captain would take the office on deck, and the crew would live below with the cargo. Instead, the cargo was installed in the captain’s office, with Velori’s quarters and office below deck with the other men. It wasn’t out of a sense of camaraderie; if the lightning containers failed it was better that they burst on the surface of the ship rather than in the confined space below. One had a chance being below that sort of explosion. Not so right next to it.

The healer’s quarters were humble. Three cots for injured men and one for herself, with a glass-topped table for easy cleaning and examination of patients. There were blank scrolls, and another detailing the wishes of the crew in case they bit off their tongues in a fit or were burned too badly to communicate. There were generous jars of salves and creams, pain medications, and smelling salts already there.

Melaniphi Syllis

 

[Aofinta]

Aofinta surrendered the nel for boarding. Caomh seemed to quite enjoy the pampering.
The giantess wrapped the key into her satchel. With her size though, pickpockets would need a ladder to even see her possession, he-he.
»Thank you, and, I believe the best translation I can offer is, 'Thunderer'. Caomh is of the greater, gentle, strider thunderers. Specifically of the marshy-footed herd.«

»There are also the rough thunderers, the shield-bearing thunderers, the hump-backed thunderers, the lesser and colossal cloudeaters and the strider thunderers.«

 

[Melaniphi Syllis]

Melaniphi nodded ashamed as the captain was sharp with her. It was only to be expected. This was a very serious business. “Yes ma’am.” She said with a quick nod and throwing up a salute.

“Again my apologies for being late.” She said beginning to hurriedly making her way below deck.

The medical station was humble but luckily Melaniphi was prepared. Stocking the shelves offered to her with the bulk of the contents of her bag. Soon it looked quite proper.

It was then she sat to read the crew members requests. They broke her heart. She would ensure none of these were needed. Not one. Every man and woman on this lightening rod of a tub would be coming back. With everything stocked, her supplies prepped, her effects properly stored in the small foot locker under her bed, and with the notes read she began to make her way back above deck.

“Watch it.” One rough sailor muttered as his shoulder bumped into her nearly sending her sprawling. “S-sorry..” She muttered finally making it back above deck to help with the sails should anything go wrong during the test she wanted to be there to shield or heal people as instantly as she could.

Her healing magic was powerful along with her barriers but once depleted she would need rest to regain her energy. Of things were as dangerous as the captain said she was glad to have medical supplies to help ease the burden on her magic. Allowing her to only use it for dire circumstances should they arise.

“What’s with the new girl? From the steel something or other?” One sailor asked another thinking they were out of earshot.

“Guild out in Elbion. Saw a squad on the road there one time. Mostly freelancers now from what my cousin says. Grandad says they were a big deal back in the day though. Even had ties to our cities leadership all the way out here. Use to be a bunch of em but something happened. In fighting maybe. Granddad wasn’t too sure himself.” His friend responded. She gave him a shrug before hawking a glob of spit over the side of the ship as he returned to his duties.

Melani felt a surge of embarrassment at the exchange. As if she needed a reminder of how far her brothers and sisters had fallen.. She shrugged and stood by

 

[Selina Della Altas]

Selina was listening to the captain receiving her instructions. It seemed simple enough. She spared the medic a glance as she ran up out of breath to report in. This sort of farming had a high mortality rate it seemed, which made sense when dealing with a direct force of nature.
She smiled gleefully at the prospect,
"I came to witness the event, but I had no idea that I would be getting a front row seat! This is a greater opportunity than I ever imagined! Thank you, captain!"
Eager to get started she went up the plank to find Oleg, the big guy.
The captain promised a payment of canned lightning and her mind was abuzz with all the things she could finally learn about the volatile Energy substance.

She knew that lightning was very effective against metal armor and even attracted to it, able to jump from one target to the next if they are wearing metal. Some magical lightning spells ignore metal attractiveness and seek the targets the caster has chosen, but she didn't know that different types of metal attracted lightning differently, least of all she would have expected was copper since it's such a cheap metal.

But that was just what she was used to with her spells. Usually spells tended to rely on the most valuable or high quality materials, but she was learning quickly.
Oleg's a hard man to miss and she practically skipped up to him, excited to learn things first hand!

 

[Jonathan Burr]

The attendant filling Caomh’s water trough smiled at the creature. “Pretty beast.” He commented. “Don’t be alarmed if you come back and find a bunch of students around the stall. House of Medicine includes men who study animals and Fae. They won’t touch him, on my word. Gawking only.” He smiled at Aofinta. “I’m sure you’re probably eager to explore, but if you like...I’m sure the docks could use the help of someone like you. Takes a lot to get ready for these big winter storms.”

__________________________

The sailors on God’s Thumb were a bit rough, but they had better education than most sailors across Arethil. Volta required all citizens to attend schooling, and even the poorest beggar born in its walls could read, write, and perform basic mathematics. Children were usually encouraged into one form of study or another by the time they turned ten, then given tailored education in their chosen field. Men like Oleg had been on the sea since that young age.

Velori raised an eyebrow at Selina’s enthusiasm. “Just be careful, girl, these storms are the worst of the season.” She told
her sternly, and went to do a final check of the ship.

Oleg chuckled at her, bounding up like a puppy, and gestured to the large expanse of canvas on the ground. “So what we do is lay this stuff down,” he picked up a bucket filled with a milky white substance, lifting the brush to show her how it stretched and slowly dripped, like hot tar. “It’s rubber we trade from the Ixchel Wilds. Sap from a big manky tree. Stinks like hell, but it’s resistant to lightning and stretches even when it’s dry. See how they’re painting a layer over the canvas, then setting wire into it? Means the wire won’t overheat and catch the sails. Does mean it’s going to stink like hell when the lightning strikes, though. Smells like someone set a cat on fire.” Oleg chuckled and set the bucket down.

Thankfully, the cross hatched wires were almost complete, and when the men were done, they dipped the ends of the bare wire in rubber, leaving just a tiny nib of copper. That nib slotted into the top of a canister, five on each side.

“So before we haul her up, come stand here.” Oleg gently led her to the other side of the sails, and gestured to it. “Run a current of magic through it. If she catches, we have to redo the whole thing, but at least it’s not up the mast and we can dip it in the sea. If you’ve done it right, you ought see the glass windows on those canisters light up, holding your magic.”

He patted her shoulder. “Let’s see it.”

Spoiler: OOC

Sorry Selina, Oleg isnt the one in the wiki! I just saw your note. They just share a name.

Selina Altas
Melaniphi Syllis
Aofinta

 

[Vulpesen]

Vulpesen clenched and opened his hands as he stared down at the strange glove on his hand. Rubber was to him, an altogether unfamiliar substance. It stretched and had a smooth and sticky texture, all the while appearing dry and not leaving on his hand any trace of its existence. Truth he told, he'd have preferred to wear something of silk or hide, but given that the alteration would keep his hands from being turned into char, he figured it was worth the sacrifice of comfort.

Volta was an amazing city to be sure, and when he had first arrived, he had been awestruck as everyone else, but more than a place of magical marvels, it was a place where he had the perfect opportunity to gain some knowledge. His deal with Varos stipulated that he would find himself a servant of nature as well as the fae, and even if nothing grew on the barren land, the hold of the wilds could not be denied. Afterall, Volta proved that one of mother nature's most destructive forces came not from the trees or beasts, but from the sky itself.

In return for learning some of the basics of energy magic, Vulpesen had agreed to aid one of the ships in its work on the celebrations. Sure it would mean that he would see less of the party himself, but it also meant he would have a front row seat to the lightning show. As a rigger, that front row seat might be a little closer than most, but that suited him just fine. the closer he was to the bolts, the more he felt he could learn from the. He just hoped that in skirting the line, he wouldn't cross over it.

From his vantage point on the main yard, the warlock watched the arrival of the newcomers and their interactions, and taking special note of the arrival of the healer. Another study of magic he would like to learn... he just prayed that he wouldn't need her services in a more intimate sense than simple education. Of course, then there was work to do, and with the rubber being hauled up to him, Vulpesen crinkled his nose at the stench before climbing up to apply it to the sails.

Once finished, Vulpesen would take the short way down, using a rope he'd set up for himself to swing his way onto the deck, using the shadows using his control on the shadows within his cloak to control and slow his descent until he landed beside the mast. After all, demonstration or not, he figured that hanging up near the lightning was probably best reserved to a 'must do' basis. "Quick question Cap'n. How often have you done this?"

Selina Altas Melaniphi Syllis Jonathan Burr

 

[Selina Della Altas]

Selina stood as directed and her excitement grew. She analyzed the sails and admired the intricate lattice of wiring coated with the rubber substance.
She examined the end that she was supposed to send the current through. If all went well the wire would conduct the electrical charge all the way to that canister where it was somehow stored for later use.

She smiled at Oleg, "I'm ready to cast the spell!"
As soon as she was cleared to do so she would recite the incantation. Her hands would crackle with electrical energy and she picked up the end of the wire she was supposed to send the charge from. After that she prayed for the best!

 

[Melaniphi Syllis]

“Oh shoot!” Melaniphi was pulled from her thoughts as she waited for things to get started. She barely noticed the mage grabbing the wires. Her hands crackling with energy! “Gotta be quick..” She muttered guving her staff a twirl and slamming it base down as as small golden halo appeared around every one above decks head.

Linking them to her her she could feel everyone’s status and know who needed any healing and when instantly. If any had previous injuries the halos light would intensify and the golden energy would flow over them and heal it.

Melani felt a pull in her gut instantly. All the stubbed toes, cramping muscles, stomach aches, hangovers, and small cuts that were being cured left a bead of sweat rolling down her brow.

She overcame this and kept up the link with a smirk as the pull lessened. With everyone healed she could now ration it to where it needed to be and the pull wasn’t so intense.

Any magic users would find their vitality and spell power increased as well. “Ok! Everyone’s linked! Sorry about that!” She called out.

 

[Jonathan Burr]

The charge from Selina’s outburst filtered down through the sail exactly as Oleg had described. The rubber solidified with the sheer heat, and an uncomfortable smell rose from the sail. Like, as the sailor had so eloquently put it, a cat on fire. The sail didn’t catch, and the smoke cleared rather quickly. Oleg was swift to disconnect the canister from the sail, and seal it by running his thumb around the rim. The containment spell activated, and he hefted the heavy container. He set it down at Selina’s feet with a grin.

“Perfect! That’s all yours, love.” Oleg told her with a wink. “Mind staying? We could use a mage in a pinch if we have to burn in another sail on the fly.”

Velori nodded in agreement as the others began hauling the sail up. “That we could. Stay on deck and watch the spells on the canisters. If those blow, we all go.” She told Selina, giving a curt but approving nod to Melaniphi. She appreciated the spell, and the preparation. A prepared healer was a good healer. Their temporary rigger she fixed with a critical eye.

“Almost twenty years. If we’re done playing twenty questions, I want all of you ready to cast off! Selina, check the canisters and make sure none of the containment spells have been scratched or corrupted. Melaniphi? Your names too long. Mel. You stay prepared girl. Vulpesen! Are you still standing there? Shift it, boy! Do you want to be the last out of the harbor?!”

She cast a finger toward the small army of lightning vessels already sailing toward the blackened clouds gathering over them. Soft pats of rain began to alight in their hair and clothing, and on the deck. “Anyone not got rubberized boots stick your feet in the rubber and hang them over the edge to dry while we’re out!” Velori barked.

Melaniphi Syllis
Vulpesen
Selina Altas

 

[Vulpesen]

Watching the lightning trace along the sails, Vulpesen could feel his hair raising up on end. It was an awesome thing to watch the destructive power of nature become so captured and tame. Unfortunately, the smell made him question whether or not the view was worth it. Lifting an arm, he covered his nose from the stench. "That is absolutely foul," he growled as he tried to acclimate himself to it.

So distracted by his nose was he that the rigger almost missed his cue to jump to the sails, though the captain's second command cut straight through into his mind, causing him to jump to the nearest rope out of instinct. "Aye, Cap'n! Right on it!" Scrambling up to the mast, Vulpesen quickly set it to catch the wind, feeling a lurch as the ship took off from the port. As the rain began to fall, he found himself quite happy that he had unpacked and readied his oilskin for the venture.

Melaniphi Syllis
Selina Altas
Jonathan Burr

 

[Selina Della Altas]

There was a powerful healer on the ship, that was pretty cool! Selina felt the boost to her magical power which she used to increase her control over the spell.
After it was over Selina breathed a sigh of relief as the canister was placed before her.

“Perfect! That’s all yours, love.” Oleg told her with a wink. “Mind staying? We could use a mage in a pinch if we have to burn in another sail on the fly.”

Selina nodded, "Of course! I would love to help out and see everything firsthand. Besides, I know quite a bit of magic that would help in a pinch should anything go wrong."

 

[Edderick Stormbane]

Edderick, a native of Volta, gave her best at being one of the most rousing of magical rabbling. Her entire savings spent on whimsical magic thaumaturgy and her own spells enhancing her cheers for the pride of her city. Her family did not commonly involve themselves in the city, but despite all the bad and glamour, Edderick couldn't help but feel immense pride in the achievements possible.