Atlantean Bronze - 1
"The Great Game Board is not sorcery, not a tool of enslavement. It is an expression of the All, of the weave of creation and the forces that constantly seek its unraveling. That you appear upon it is but witness to your destiny."
Thus did Thothmes the Wise, true magician in the city of Bithinia, console the five for their troubles past and those that were to come. For his next words bid them set forth on another journey. Osina rejoiced, to the extent of her nature, for this journey would take her and her Maia back to their native soil. But the journey would be long and by sea, and she had not forgotten the glimpse the Game Board had afforded her of her sister's captors. For they too were at sea.
Alexo, too, was concerned, as proud as she was of her newly-minted status as magician and intrigued by the thought of a city beyond the Pillars of Hercules. Although she and her comrades had secured the God Compass, there was no question but the forces of chaos would make further attempt to thwart them.
The news that their ship and its crew would be Minoan assuaged the fears Kerinos, to whom the mythical quality of the journey also appealed. Giallos seemed pleased to be returning to the sea and was heard to mutter something about "opportunities". Both of them were delighted to hear that the route included the island of Thea, known for its smouldering volcano and truly excellent wines.
Holgar addressed Thothmes direct. "Will there be treasure?" Assured that this Atlantis traded in silver and tin both, he was satisfied.
And so it was that the seven voyagers (for Maia and Alexo's familiar were both counted by Thothmes) embarked from the docks of Troy on the good ship Ketos. It seemed like half the city had turned out to watch the admittedly impressive spectacle, including several known to Holgar as spies for his old gang and scouts for the local pirates. When these slipped unobtrusively away, he judged it was to warn said pirates against rash action and certainly, nothing attacked the ship for the next two days.
But on the morning of the third day, the ship's captain, Yidini, appraised the party of a peculiar situation. He and his first mate, Rusa, were certain that the ship was on course when they anchored last night. But the morning's progress had revealed an island where none should be. Certainly not that island, which was supposed to be much further south and which all sane sailors avoided. It was agreed that, just to be safe, the course should be corrected immediately.
The sails were billowing and the helmsman's hand was steady on the steering oar. Nonetheless, the island did not recede into the distance. It appeared to be following. Holgar got out his axe and Osina climbed onto the bowsprit, to assess this troubling prospect. But it was Giallos who realized that the island wasn't moving. The entire ship, although sailing furiously to the north, was being carried backwards through the water.
As Osina's primal senses twinged, Alexo said the words. "Water Elemental, right underneath us. And it's huge."
Anticipating combat and hoping to help, Maia attempted to outline the creature with Faerie Fire. This appeared to tip it off, as the ship's pace towards the island increased dramatically. But while the argument about the wisdom of starting such a fight was still in progress, the Ketos was released.
"Winged creatures, coming out of the sun!" Maia shouted, before her words and indeed all other sound was swallowed up in the unearthly singing.
A splash signaled the leap of Ruso and two crew into the water. Their eyes were dazed and they reached up towards a taloned embrace. Holgar and Osina swiftly followed them. "They're staging a rescue, right? Right?" There was no time to wonder, for a flock of harpies was now swooping the deck.
Gialos repelled two with a Thunderwave, while Holgar stabbed at third with his short sword. Alexo attempted to weave her sleeping charm, only to find the creatures were much stronger than she had thought. Only the wounded one spiraled down to float upon the water.
Holgar and Osina, together with one of the crew, seemed to think better of their hasty action and attempted to climb back into the boat, only to become targets. They repaid these slashes with blades. The remaining harpies were even now lifting the dazed Ruso and the remaining sailor from the water. Kerinos cast Thunderwave again and then turned into a bear to go paw to wing. Oddly enough, this seemed to phase the harpies but not the Minoan crew.
Alexo focused her Thunderwave on the harpies raising Ruso and one lost its grip. The concussion woke the other captive, who took in his situation and punched the harpy clutching him where the sun don't shine, whereupon it dropped him and took off screeching. Engaged directly, Alexo attempted to slap her attacker with the God Compass, to disappointingly little effect. Giallos more than made up for this, aiming his Shatter spell at the retreating flock, finally freeing Ruso and wreaking great slaughter. Several now were sinking into the brine, where the bear joined them, finishing off the sleeper who had woken and was attempting mightily to regain the air.
Once all were once more on deck, Captain Yidini eyed the group hopefully. "Such creatures would have treasure, would they not? In their lair?"
Despite Alexo's warning that someone had summoned the elemental to bring them here, and that someone was certainly a powerful sorcerer and probably an agent of chaos, it was agreed. The riches of the island await!