DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: Dawn of Revolution

The Passenger, part 1

Three years before the coalition war began...

It was on the second day of the trip to Nasrond, around the middle of the afternoon, when a young human girl wandered right over to Momo. She even had a finger to her lip in curiosity.

"Lady, why is your hair so white when you're not even old?" the youngster asked bluntly.

Momo, who had one leg comfortably crossed over the other and a magical curio in her hands, looked over and shrugged. "That's my natural hair color. White as bone. It's always been like that."

"Oh. That's kinda weird," the little girl said. Her eyes latched onto Momo's pointed ears next. "Are you an elf?"

"Yes. A shadar-kai. I doubt you've met my kind before."

"How come -" the little girl started, before her flustered mother hurried right over and collected her.

"I'm so sorry. She's been so curious since she learned to talk," the mother said with an apologetic smile. "She has so many questions."

"I have lots of questions, too. It's a good way to live," Momo casually told the mother. "Your daughter didn't bother me."

"Ah. Most gracious of you, madam. Excuse me." The mother escorted her little daughter back to their seats, where the girl's father waited for them in his seat. They were three of about forty passengers aboard this Danaan-class airship, one of the newest models to come off the assembly line at Capital Motors' factory in Elwyn Llwyfain. Personally, Momo had never ridden a Talwyddian airship before, and so far, the experience was... decent enough, she supposed. Momo idly wondered what the modrons of the Clockwork Nirvana of Mechanus would think of it. Modrons were such amusing folk.

It cost more than a few coins to take an airship like this one from Talwydd's capital to Nasrond, so Momo supposed everyone aboard this skyward contraption had good reasons to be here. About forty lives all happened to intersect aboard this passenger ship, sharing a few days of this world together before parting, never knowing where each other's paths had already gone, or where they would go from here. It was fun meeting people and getting to know them, but evidently, airship etiquette involved keeping quiet. What a shame.

It was about fifteen minutes later when the entire airship rocked. Several people gasped in alarm.

"I'm sure it is nothing, everyone," one of the stewards said with forced calm, motioning with his hands. He was a wood elf with sharp cheekbones. "The Summer Spirit is still being broken in. This is only its second voyage. Please, relax in comfort as we approach Illaran airspace -"

Momo suddenly gripped her seat's armrests and felt her seatbelt straining against her as the Summer Spirit rocked again, harder this time. The entire wood and brass vehicle shuddered, a funny whining noise coming from the rear, where the engines were. Momo scowled in concern, already throwing together a plan for what might come next.

"Is this thing safe?" a well-dressed fairy woman demanded. "Maybe we should hear something from the maintenance crews and not just a steward."

"I assure you, madam, that this airship is perfectly saf -" the steward began, when a a loud, metallic bang barked from the ship's rear, and Momo felt a thrill in her stomach as the entire airship started dropping in the sky, its bow tilting down. The Summer Spirit shuddered and quaked like a dying animal as its plunge began.

"We're gonna die!" a young sun elf man yelped. Someone yelled at him to shut up.

"All passengers, brace for impact!" the steward shouted, all pretense abandoned. He seized a metal railing for dear life, his face twisted with terror. Momo, meanwhile, already had her staff out, a crooked quarterstaff made of hard, dark wood with a hand-shaped end. She knew just the spell for a sudden crash-landing.

Air howled past the Summer Spirit's hull while the forested landscape below rapidly drew nearer, as Momo saw from outside her small, round window. She had to time this just right, because shield spells don't last that long. Wait, wait... now!

A pearly gold barrier erupted around Momo just seconds before the Summer Spirit made contact with the unforgiving earth below it. Momo's sharp ears rang painfully as metal and wood crashed and collapsed together, all while scraping along the forest floor, pieces of the Summer Spirit breaking off as they hit trees here and there. It almost drowned out the screams of pain and fright from the helpless passengers. If only they could cast shield spells, too.

Dirt, rocks, and tree branches scattered everywhere as the Summer Spirit slowly ground its way to a halt, coming apart piece by piece. Momo hung onto her staff tightly as debris smacked against it, putting some nasty cracks onto the arcane shield's surface. But now the Summer Spirit was slowing down, and finally... it was over. A ghastly, shocked silence fell over the wreckage site, soon broken by the groans of injured passengers and the noises of Talwyddian wildlife fleeing the scene.

Smoke and dust hung in the air as Momo deactivated her shield spell and unbuckled her seatbelt. She had to get out of this wrecked hull in case more pieces broke off and fell on her. How embarrassing it would be to die like that.

Momo coughed a bit on the dusty air, marching past the terrified, confused passengers and out of the wreckage, relieved to stand under the pine trees in peace. She dusted off her black and silver robes, then turned and surveyed the crash site. Just as she expected: the twisted, jagged remains of an airship clumsily plowed halfway into the ground, the busted engine and propellers sticking up at the back, with thick, dark smoke pouring out of the machinery.

Already, a few passengers were staggering out of the Summer Spirit's remains, while the rest were either helping their fellow passengers, or too injured to evacuate. Oh, and some probably died, too. It would take a few moments to take care of them.

So, why not pitch in and see if she could earn some favors? Staff in hand, Momo waded into the crash site and spoke up. "Is anyone trapped in the wreckage? I can get them out."

"I think there's someone trapped in there!" a man, pale with horror, said as he pointed helplessly at a piece of the hull. "I heard him!"

"Just a moment. Stand back." Momo twirled her staff, then cast a spell that opened a person-sized doorway on the hull, and she climbed onto the wreckage to find the survivor. "You can come out," Momo told them. "The opening is stable."

"Just a moment," came a slightly hollow, metallic voice. A warforged man with rusty copper plating and redwood flesh climbed his way out of the vertical opening, then staggered to his feet. His metal and wooden body creaked. "I believe you saved my life, madam. I thank you."

"A passwall spell is easy," Momo said, then pointed her staff to end the spell. Transmutation was always fun. "I presume you're not hurt. And I'm Momo."

The warforged shook his head. "Mild physical trauma, but nothing serious. I am Titanium." Indeed, Momo realized, because this warforged had a shiny right arm of titanium, a sharp contrast with his worn-out copper plating elsewhere.

"You two seem awfully calm about this," the pale man said with disbelief. "We just crashed! People are hurt! This... it's insanity!"

Momo turned to face him. "Don't panic, sir. We're better off keeping our cool and organizing a relief effort for the wounded. Then we can delegate tasks for survival until rescue comes. Assuming anyone does find us. If not, we'll have to figure something out."

"Airships such as this one send signal flares when in distress," Titanium mentioned. "That has been an industry regulation for 14 years now."

"Ah. So, time is on our side. Help is indeed coming," Momo noted. "Let's evacuate the wounded and bury the dead. No time to waste."

The pale man gave Momo another look of disbelief, then hurried off to help his fellow passengers. He would definitely not make a good adventurer, Momo thought. He lost his nerve so easily and didn't adjust well to simple reality. But Titanium was solid. Just as unshakable as the rest of his kind.

"I will aid the wounded. Will you assist me, Momo?" Titanium asked her. "I have the strength to move debris, but your magic may be of help, too."

"Not much healing magic at my disposal," Momo admitted. "I'm not that type. But I can spare a little magic power for serious cases like yours. Lead the way."

It took some time for Momo, Titanium, and the rest of the passengers and crew to finish the evacuations and do a head count. There were four dead and eleven wounded overall, with twenty-six passengers and nine crew members in reasonably good health. And, as Momo hoped, the captain himself took charge once the smoke cleared.

"We had a rough landing, to be sure," the fairy captain announced. It was amusing to see a colorful fairy man in a captain's uniform, but of course, no one laughed. "Passengers, remain calm and stay together while the crew retrieves emergency supplies from the luggage room. Or at least, what remains of it. We will provide first aid for those who need it, and set up tents and campfires for the night."

"Is help on the way?" the well-dressed fairy woman from earlier asked.

"Yes. A signal flare was launched just before the engines failed," the captain told her. "It will remain in the air for several hours. See it?" He pointed up, and Momo looked up, confirming the colorful cloud of red-orange smoke high above, like a lumpy cloud atop a long stream of smoke. Not bad.

"As for where we are, I leave that to my navigator," the captain said. He motioned, and a half elf woman with short dark hair stepped forward, presenting a map. She unrolled it and pointed at a certain spot.

"This is the crash site, just 40 miles from the Illaran border," the navigator explained. "Based on the position of the nearest airfields, I expect help may arrive within three to five days."

"But how are we gonna survive out here until then? Huh?" the young sun elf man from earlier blurted out. He looked around in terror, hugging himself comfortingly. "I know what kinda things are out in the wilds! Slaadi! Redcaps! Fire giants! And who knows what else?"

"Do we have any weapons?" Titanium asked calmly. "Crossbows, swords, anything?"
The navigator scowled. "This is a passenger liner, not a Royal Army supply ship."

"But we need to defend ourselves!" a tiefling woman yelped. Her eyes were wide with alarm, looking around like a cornered animal. "What are we supposed to do? Can we hide in the wreckage?"

"The wreckage isn't stable," the captain barked. "I can't have it collapsing on anyone. So instead -"

His voice was drowned out as more and more passengers protested the plan, unbridled fear sweeping through the small mob. Momo didn't blame them, but by the same token, she knew it wouldn't do any good. How awkward; this was why she vastly preferred teaming up with real adventurers who know what they're doing, brave souls ready for danger and discovery. Not... not this.

"I'm getting outta here!" the panicking sun elf wailed, and sure enough, he pushed past a few startled passengers, running right toward the waiting trees like a fool.

That called for another spell.

"What -! Argh!"

The sun elf yowled as Momo's person-holding spell seized him, rendering him partially paralyzed, sprawling onto the dirt near a towering pine tree.

"Who did that?" someone asked.

"It's that pale elf with a staff! See her?" someone else said.

"She attacked him!"

"By the gods!"

More panicked muttering spread through the crowd, and Momo realized she'd have to explain herself quick or end up facing this mob's wrath. "I am Momo, a veteran adventurer and wizard," Momo declared loudly but calmly. "I can help you if you ask for it. I already saved Titanium's life with a spell." She pointed at the warforged, who gave her a respectful nod. "You don't have to like me, but don't treat me like a monster. That's a bad idea."

"Is that a threat?" a man demanded.

"Perhaps I misspoke," Momo added quickly. "Don't fear me. Fear what you'll face in these woods alone if you push me away."

She waited, and as she hoped, the crowd started to cool off a bit. But they were still anxious about this disaster, and Momo could sympathize just a bit with that. So long as the passengers and crew respected her, she'd help. For a few favors in return, that is. She couldn't do everything alone.

"Hey. Um..." the sun elf groaned.

"Oh. Yes." Momo took a few steps toward the sun elf, then undid her spell with a gesture. "Get a hold of yourself, young sir. Or I'll do it again."

"Wizards," the sun elf muttered, then rejoined the group. He and a few others shot Momo a funny look, but Momo didn't mind. It's not like they were threatening her. And if any of them had the guts to team up with her and take charge of this situation, Momo would figure out who they were soon enough.

After that, the crew arranged a burial for the four dead passengers, and they also set up a small medical camp for the eleven wounded. It was fortunate that the Summer Spirit had a few medical kits on hand, because Momo didn't have any good healing spells prepared for today, nor did anyone else have that kind of magic. In fact, was she the only magic user here? Probably. No big deal.

Instead...

"Is anyone here skilled at wilderness survival? Or the use of improvised weapons?" Momo asked to no one in particular as she wandered the crash site. Around her, everyone was either busy with the medical camp, the main camp (plenty of tents), or double-checking the wreckage for any more supplies.

"Is this any time for that?" the mother of that little girl asked as she and her husband helped set up a tent.

"Of course," Momo told her. "I understand it may be scary to think about, but Talwydd's forests are home to all kinds of dangers. We need a combat team. Any takers? Anyone?" She looked around as she kept wandering. Hmmmm, not many takers. Except -

"I shall join," Titanium announced, raising his titanium arm.

Momo gave him an approving nod. "What can you do?"

"Use of basic weapons and unarmed combat," Titanium offered. "And in case you ask, my right arm is indeed tougher than my left. Titanium is a formidable metal."

"Why not be all titanium, then?" one of the ship's engineers, a goliath woman, asked.

"For personal reasons, I cannot explain that," Titanium stated. "And Momo, you have my support. Let us find other recruits."

Not many of the other passengers were keen on joining Momo's new team, and a few objected to the idea entirely. A well-dressed gnome man introducing himself as Aerun Oldeir, for his part, urged Momo to stay right here.

"If you attract a predator's attention, and you cannot kill it, your team will lure it right back to the crash site," he protested. "I'm a zoologist at the Elwyn Llwyfain public university. I would know."

Momo gave him an appraising look. "I promise to protect you if you come with me and look for signs of danger. And identify animal calls."

"I shall protect you too, sir," Titanium added.

"It's professor," Aerun said pompously. "And I must decline. I insist, do not go wandering off looking for trouble, madam Momo! Help is already on the way. We just have to wait."

"Consider this," Titanium added with his metallic voice. "The ship's crash was highly conspicuous and will draw the attention of predatory fauna regardless. If we can intercept them on the prowl, the site may be safer."

Professor Aerun Oldeir paused, thinking it over. "I... suppose that's a valid point," he said slowly. "But I hesitate to join you, Momo, Titanium. Even with you protecting me, I'm not suited for wilderness survival! Look at me!" He gestured at his small, well-dressed frame.

Momo shrugged. "If you change your mind, professor, find me. I'm sure I'll have a use for you."

Then she asked around a bit more, and as expected, plenty of passengers and crew said no. The sun elf young man, who gave his name as Losthar, refused but admitted that Momo was pretty impressive, even if she did use magic on him without permission. And the fairy woman from earlier, named Zholla Glimmerdusk, flatly refused and said that she was an apex predator in the business world, not in the forest! And of course, the parents of that little girl, Kip the father anad Sheena the mother, insisted on staying in their tent with their daughter Fewna until a rescue ship could arrive, no matter how long it took.

"I suppose it's just you and me, Titanium," Momo concluded, idly twirling her staff as she and her warforged friend finished another loop around the crash site. "Why don't you find some spare tools or a piece of wreckage to make a club or spear? Whatever you can get."

"I shall," Titanium said, turning his glowing eyes to the Summer Spirit's sorry remains. "Just a moment -"

Momo heard some hungry growls and gripped her staff tightly. "We might not have a moment, Titanium. Look."

She pointed at the pair of salivating blue slaadi that were casually strolling into the crash site's perimeter, wiggling their fingers to show off their curved claws and bone protrusions, their bulbous yellow eyes alive with predatory hunger. Already, the helpless passengers were shouting in alarm, scrambling away from the two intruding slaadi.

Titanium pounded his mismatched fists together with a dull clank. "Shall we test this new team's prowess, Momo?"

Momo was already trying to decide which spell to cast first. "Just make sure you can keep up."