Do you love the sea?
Lightning flashed overhead, and the ship thrashed in the chaos of the stormy ocean waves. Anilith stumbled around the ship, trying desperately to find something or someone to cling to lest she be thrown overboard. The two people she had met not a day or two before were in a similar predicament; the human desperately scrambling to stay afoot as the monk lost his stoic exterior in favor of a look of terror. Crew members were running as best as they could across the deck of the ship, keeping the sails maintained, and tossing ropes around. Anilith had no idea what it took to maintain a ship in this storm, and she did not have the time to learn. A particularly close bolt of lightning struck, temporarily blinding everyone on board, as the resounding clap of thunder rumbled menacingly in Anilth's chest. As her hearing and sight came back, she realized with a sinking heart that the lightning had struck the mast of the ship, and that mast was careening down into the deck as she watched. The ship was simply unable to hold up against the forces pulling it apart, and Anilith knew it was almost impossible for her to survive this. She looked up and made eye contact with the human, Aereth, who seemed to have come to the same conclusion. The next wave that crashed over the ship shattered the hull and sent Anilith flying. She hit the water, immediately beginning to paddle towards what she assumed was the surface, trying to avoid debris to no avail. As pieces of the ship struck her body, and the waves tossed her over and over, she realized she had no way out. Her consciousness was beginning to leave her when she heard a voice.
"I can save you. I can take you to another place. All I ask in return is one simple favor." The voice was silky smooth, devilishly convincing, and even though Anilith knew better, knew it was a mistake, she agreed immediately. She heard a soft chuckle in her ear before she blacked out completely.
Ironically, It's a rather hot day in Syndril when they meet, made even hotter by the sun reflecting off the open dirt path the companions walk on. Made even hotter by the uncomfortable leather armor that Anilith is not quite used to wearing yet. Made even hotter still by the slight rage building at her silent "monk" companion who was very obviously up to something and very obviously not a monk. The path seemed to go on forever; even though she was a red-skinned tiefling unable to be burned by the sun, she was still so damn hot and uncomfortably sweaty. She glanced over at her second companion, Aereth, who seemed to be suffering just as much but soldiering on through, badly pretending to be unaffected. As Anilith considered what Aereth's human skin must feel in the heat, the sun caught Aereth's heavy metal armor and flashed directly into Anilith's eyes.
"Ah gods Aereth your armor is blinding me!" Anilith cried, shielding her eyes. Aereth turned to her with a look of distress, quickly putting up her hands in an attempt to block light for Anilith.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I just polished it this mornin'! This damn sun is killin' me right now." Aereth stopped walking, fanning herself and sighing. "We still have quite a ways to go."
Anilith groaned loudly and began to reply but was cut short by Zenkai, their "monk" friend pointing to the road ahead.
"Someone's coming." He stated quietly. The entire party straightened up and began looking down the road. Coming towards them was a lone figure, swaying and staggering along the road. Anilith and Aereth gave each other a curious look, and as one, they began to approach this stranger.
"Hello there!" The stranger cried, waving a hand above his head. "How are you all on this fine day?"
"Fine day is certainly one way to put it." Anilith grumbled to Aereth, then called out a response, "Well met friend, what brings you down this path today?" As they got closer, Anilith was finally able to see him clearly. He was wearing a fine red coat that looked to have seen better days. His hair was long, wavy and black and tied behind him in a loose ponytail. He wore cuffed black boots and a feathered hat on his head, and had devastatingly handsome features with a small, well trimmed moustache and goatee. His expression was full of mirth and life and Anilith felt herself captivated by him immediately.
"What is he, some kinda pirate?" Aereth whispered, breaking Anilith from her reverie.
"Oh, uh, yeah maybe." Anilith stuttered out, pushing forward and ignoring the confused look Aereth was giving her.
"Today my friends, I am on an adventure inland! Of course, a seaman on land is like a fish out of water and I'd very much like to go back." The stranger finished, laughing jovially to himself. They were all close enough now that they had stopped in a small cluster on the road, with Zenkai hanging behind.
"Oh you sail?" Anilith inquired.
"Sail with the finest crew around!" He grandly proclaimed. "Captain Featherbeard runs a fleet of ships and I am in charge of one lovely vessel."
"Sounds interestin', shipwreck's what brought us to this continent." Aereth chimed in.
"Oh my! The sea is certainly a fickle mistress." The man chuckled. "And yet, I cannot stay away. Thrill of adventure and all that!"
"That sounds like an exciting life⦠we're somewhat adventurers ourselves, but we end up stickin' to dry land." Aereth mused.
Ah, what's your name?" Anilith blurted suddenly, recovering quickly by adding, "That is, if we are to sail with the finest crew in the land we must have someone to ask after of course."
"Of course!" He replied with a wink that made Anilith's heart flutter more than she would care to admit. "The name is Galahand, and you may find me in the north, in Xera. Please stop by sometime, I'd love to take you charming people out on a voyage." His gaze lingered on Anilith and she held it while replying.
"Certainly! I would love to be piloted by such an expert seaman such as yourself. I'm Anilith, by the way. These are my friends Aereth and Zenkai." She added, gesturing to them in turn.
"Pleasure to meet you." Aereth nodded, and Galahand nodded in return.
"Oh no, the pleasure is all mine." He replied, then glanced past them down the road. "It's been lovely but I simply must be on my way. I hope to see you in the future!" Giving Anilith another wink, he slipped past and continued walking. Anilith stared for a few seconds before coming back to herself to find Aereth staring hard at her.
"Hey there, welcome back to reality. What did you think of that guy?"
"We gotta get down to the coast." Anilith muttered, causing Aereth to snicker.
"You like him huh? I get it, I get it, let's finish this an' go find your man." Aereth teased, giving the protesting Anilith a nudge as the party continued their long, hot journey.
