Harboring Trouble (Quest Thread)

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It was going to be a miserable day, already at first light, there was a steady drizzle, which meant this whole trip would be done cold and wet. Aria was a striking figure in her armor was completely black bax leather. A black hood rested over her head, the leather designed to look like a large crow skull over her head; forming into black a black feather like pattern. It was attached to an intricate bolero jacket with a vine pattern embedded into the hem. This vine pattern is also sewn into the hem of the hood and all of this is clasped by a dark black metal that was matted in color. Intricate pauldrons rest on her shoulders, each layer delicately pointed. The pauldrons themselves have the vine pattern embedded into the hems, but also an intricate drawing of many animals. Two blood red feathers were hanging from the top layer of her right pauldrons. These are buckled onto to the bolero jacket by the same black metal clasps. Two buckles in front and two in the back for either pauldron. A black leather corset covers her torso, its bax leather sewn in a patch work design. It was clasped in the front by the same black metal. A thin vine pattern etched into the hems of the corset as well. Her pants were also made out of this black leather, they had buckles all up either side of her legs. Her feet were covered by boots that just barely went over her knees in a point. Aria also wore leather bracers on her fore arms, decorated in the same pattern as her pauldrons and belt. They came out in points over her hand but flexible enough to move. These also had the clasps that could break if needed to. Aria also had a black leather choker wrapped around her neck; it had a metal plate across her throat.



Her black metal daggers were strapped to her body in various places, each had a blue gem embedded into the hilt. However these blue gems seem to glow an eerie blue green as her own orange gold magic glowed within it. It actually matched her own eyes almost perfectly. A sword rested at her hip, sheathed in a plain black leather sheath, it had a long enough hilt to use with two hands, but the blade seemed thin enough to be wielded with one. It was a versatile sword; the blade itself was elegantly curved. Being the work of elves. So was the bow and arrows on her back, both purchased on her shopping trip to the weapon shop. It always helped to come prepared to these things.



Her boots made not a sound as she walked down the docks; and hopped on to the ship she had arranged to set sail to investigate the harbor. She checked the supplies on the ship, making sure there was rope, food, ect. It was to be a short sail, but Aria always believed in over killing when it came to being prepared.

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Lilith was nervous. She’d never taken part in something like this before, not by her own ideas. She made her way to the docks, wearing all black, her regular boots made small tapping sounds as she walked a quick and steady pace. She also wore a cloak of black, the hood up to attempt of covering her platinum hair, though the wind had the strands in the air anyhow. She had her usual dagger in her boot, and her earth magic had gotten better. Because they would be on water she had a potted plant in her hand, of a venus fly trap. Just in case. She was really only here to heal incase she was needed.

She arrived at the ship and found Aria, checking the supplies. It’s going to rain a lot more later. It was clear Lilith was not one for battle, not only by her attire which included no armour, but by the way she held herself. She was unaware of who else would be joining them, but the fact that Aria was there was already comforting her.

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Diamond had made a request with his boss Melda as he wanted to take a side job as a working day off. They had agreed to something and he was walking down the streets down to the harbor. He was dressed in a heavy duty cloak that was made to deal with the weather. Some of his white hair had streamed out from under the hood of the cloak. Diamond did arm himself with only one of his katana blades. But had instead armed himself with some high quality knives as these were going to be better while in the water. The other thing was that he brought some crystals with him just in case and then found two other people there. Both were women from what he could tell "It seems that I am not the only one that took this job" he said and greeted the two. The rain was going to be a problem while fighting on a boat. Especially if he was fighting a large sea creature that could take out a ship. "So what is the overall plan to find this problem" he said not sure how to find this thing.

Diamond gets on to the ship and looked like he was ready to fight something and rip it apart. As he viewed this as a good warm up for the Champion's event. Since he needed something to fully test his skills as Diamond was feeling very rusty. He needed some kind of action as the man had became a bit stir crazy while in the castle.

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Aria nodded towards Lilith while looking up at the sky; already the rain dripped off her bird skull shaped hood. Hopefully it wouldn’t get worse on the sea; but then again they weren’t going that far out. But the rain was good, it had been a hot summer so far. The farmers must be rejoicing. Her attention was pulled when another familiar voice called out, her mouth which was visible underneath her hood burst into a large grin as she gave a small wave. Once every one was on board she hand signaled the crew it was time to shove off. She turned to the other two with her hands resting on her hips.

”Plan is to sail out into the harbor to discover what we can of the missing ships. It will give us an idea of what’s been happening to them. It’s best not to make assumptions this early on, on what we’re going to be facing. But be prepared. The harbor doesn’t drop off to the deep sea cliffs for a few miles out. I have a hunch it’s at that ledge we’ll find the ship remains. I can use the marine life to scope out what’s on the bottom of the sea floor…just hope I don’t sprout gills in the process….my attentions going to be fully on that. You two I need your eyes scanning surface wise, for any clues or anything coming at us.”

Aria smiled, obviously the weather was not dampening her mood to much.

”If either of you have any suggestions I will be happy to hear them. If you feel there is a task either of you can do, speak up. More we know about what each other can do the better we can work as a team and not get under each other’s feet during this lovely excursion.”

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Lilith placed the potted plant down somewhere she felt it would be safe, and turned as Diamond boarded. She knew of him, but couldn’t recall ever actually meeting him. She waved lightly to him as Aria spoke and the ship left the dock. That’s it? There was only them three? Lilith’s stomach did a flip. She trusted Aria entirely and Diamond did have his reputation, but Lilith was still worried. Her imagination ran wild with what could be taking the ships down. Lilith opened her coat for a moment and pulled out a wooden wand that was hidden inside it, a green gem at the handle. She didn’t need the gem to use her magic, but kept it there as a precaution in case her magic was stunned or she was unable to control it.

I am not certain this will help, depending on what this turns out to be, but I have a spell that could help. I mean, if it turns out to be a giant squid or something crazy. I can make them se nothing be forest greenery. It would still be able to hear is, but it would see nothing… So there’s that. Lilith shrugged and gripped onto the wooden wand, causing the plant behind her to twice slightly before eating a fly that had been from the docks. Aside from that, I’m a healer obviously, and I have limit earth magic, hence the plant behind me. Uhm… the only other spell I have handy is an animal call, but I need to be on land to use it. So that wouldn’t be much help. So, essentially, place me where you want me, I’m here if one of you gets hurt. Lilith stated what she felt was obvious. It was clear she wasn’t a fighter, so unless she was a healer she had no purpose there at all.

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Diamond raised an eyebrow from under his hood as he heard Aria's voice. He smirked a bit as the woman had slipped from most of the guards and what not that kept her in. Then she answered his question on what the plan was and thought about it. "Well whatever it is, something must have disturbed this creature. To cause it to act like this. But that's the only assumption I will make" he said and then looked over at the elven woman with the plant. At first Diamond wanted to face palm slightly but tried to shift his thinking for the minute with Lilith. He pondered a bit "Forgive me if I don't know your name miss. I know that we are on the ocean right now. Maybe try and experiment on trying to control or calling things from the sea. I don't know how much you do know on learning magic on your own. But this might be a good time to try" he said speaking to Lilith as Diamond was unsure if that sounded like a good idea at the moment. But perhaps it would make the woman feel a bit better then feeling useless.

"I do have some abilities that might come in a pinch while we are out here.....if there is fighting or we need to get out of here" he said and then went to the right side of the ship and kept a look out. The rain was light and hoped that it did not get heavier. As that would massively hamper there vision and whatever they were trying to find out there.

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Aria chuckled at the pure confusion of a sea animal seeing a forest underwater suddenly; really that would throw them off a bit. But then again from her feel, most sea animals didn’t quite rely on sight as humans.

”Don’t forget Lilith, you are also in the guard, so I’m not breaking the Kings rules by being here; so there’s that.”

She grinned, totally probably not what the king meant, buuuuutttt, it was something. But she did come on a potentially dangerous mission…with little protection. Aria thought a bit tapping the beak of her hood, thinking. Finally she pulled off a glove a long rod extended from her palm; untill a large staff sat in her hands. The tip of the staff was like a twisted branch around a glowing light blue stone. She extended the staff out for Lilith to take.

”Take this, the staff is wood so as a plant mage you can control it to become longer ect, the tip also has an ice gem fixed into it. Freezes most things it touches. I’m a walking armory anyways, so one less won’t hinder me two much. Keep it with you.”

Aria walked over to pick up the plant and studied it. She had some at her house. However….

”Remind me to collect some sundews for you from my collection, I grow em big and particularly nasty. They are easier to manipulate as well do to the fact they already move fast on their own to begin with. It’s good to know you’re a plant mage to, can you sprout seedlings yet?”

Aria placed the plant down and nodded agreeing with Diamond on Lilith practicing.

”It will be a little bit until we get to the area we need to be, so makes sense to practice.”

Aria turned her attention to Diamond.

”I’m good with fighting but if you have an ability that can mean a quick get away that will be good. If it does turn out to be something living, hopefully I can talk to it. However I’m not banking on it being a creature. For all we know it could be some very well hidden ships looking to do Teair some damage. If it is people I’ll be happy Lilith brought this plant….I’ll go up to the crows nest, already got feet for the boat anyways.”

Aria smiled and patted Lilith on the shoulder before climbing up to the crow’s nest. Just in case she took her bow and prepared it. She still needed to work on her shot, but with the increased accuracy enchanted on the bow she wasn't a bad shot. Just not a great one yet.

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Lilith smiled at Diamond. Of course, I would not assume you know me by appearance. My name is Lilith Harmonia, I am on the Mage Guard. And you’re both probably right, it may not work - assuming that we’re dealing with a sea creature at all. I just felt it important to share that I have the ability just in case. Lilith shrugged, knowing full well her main purpose there was healing and helping Aria get around the rules. When she was handed the staff she took it smiling, putting her own wand back into her sleeve. Thank you, this will come in handy. Lilith kept it by her side, admiring it. 

Hmm, alright, thank you again. I will read up on those when we return. And no, I’m still learning. Jeon has me working with an orchid, as though it were my child. Makes total sense actually. Lilith laughed. Her orchid was safe and sound back home. He’d told her never to let it out of her sight, but there was no way she’d risk it by bringing it on the ship.

When Aria patted her shoulder, she turned to Diamond Seeing as I am just a healer here, I will take your advice to practice, and I will be over here if you need me. Lilith took a deep breath and moved to the front of the ship, taking her plant with her. She would practice not only calling out to the creatures below, but with the plant, letting it grow in size bit by bit.

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Diamond gives a nod to Aria as he sees her going up to the crows nest of the ship. He could see a faint outline of a bow. Hopefully the rain would become lighter for them to see out. The white haired mercenary turns to look at Lilith as she was now wielding a staff that Aria had gave her. When hearing that she was in the Mage Guard it brought up a bit of distaste for the man that was leading them. But there was no ill for those working under him, it just left a bitter taste. None the less he gave another nod to Lilith as he was now getting focused on the job at hand. Keeping himself alert looking out for something that could be a ship or perhaps a large creature. Diamond could not remember anything else on the job. Except that something was attacking the ships and sinking them.

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The rain began to fall at a steadier rate, big fat droplets made it hard to see as the waves themselves got a little bigger. The deck of the ship became slippery as small caps of waves washed onto deck every now and then. The wind began to pick up as well, making it hard to hear anything said on the tiny little ship. Lilith would sense something off when she called the creatures; something would feel off and wrong; making her magic feel almost dirty. It wasn’t just something...it was a group of somthings; and they were getting closer.