RP:A Vhys Airship is Stolen
Airship Dock at night
A tall black tower rises here threatening to pierce the sky. At the top and tethered to the tower is a small ship simply floating in the air. The ship appears like any normal ocean going vessel apart from it is covered in plates of a strange blue-tinged metal that seems to have an unusual gleam to it. This metal may be ultra refined elerium the ore that once allowed the ancient cities of the Avians to float amongst the sky. However is appears now somebody has been able to manufacture and refine it in large enough quantities to outfit this ship to float. The ship would seem to be a transport of some kind and a notice next to the tower reads “Vhys-15g”. Italic text
The wind is fickle this evening, at first calm, then surging to whip the air wildly, although at its worst only a light breeze plays across the riggings of the small Vhysian airship, the elerium plating creating the slightest hint of a dark blue glow in the darkness of night. There are some lights on inside the vessel, presumably from the crew's nocturnal activities. There is no rope ladder played out, no obvious method of ascent to the vessel hovering approximately fifty feet above the docking tower where in daytime travellers would await departure. The tower itself is locked up tight for the night, with no lights visible.
Ranok || A gentleman, if you could call it that, staggers around on the docks a little. He was obviously dockworker drunk after spending his pay in the closest bar. Not uncommon to see such things around there, as dockworkers are wont to get drunk. He's got a bundled bag with him, so perhaps he wasn't a drunken dockworker at all, but a drifter. Or a man kicked out by his wife, as he was telling anyone in very slurred tones was what happened. He stunk of whiskey. No one would want to get close enough to see if it came from his clothes or his breath. This gentleman was big, as some dockworkers would be, but it was really too dark to see his face. He had thick stubble, but it was hard to make out many features without the light. Though, if it did shine on him, it would be a tired face. However, no scar, as a more well known equally large man carries on his face.
Tysinni || A shadow seemed to detach itself from the wall of a nearby building. If a passerby would chance to see it, they would assume that it was a trick of light or their imagination letting the darkness control its fears. The shadow quickly blends into the deepest dark cast by nearby buildings as it made its way towards the tower. Perhaps a stray glint of light from a lantern would reveal the sheen of leather, the only hint that perhaps the 'shadow' was a real person. Which it was. A thief and master of stealth, Tysinni was carefully making her way around the tower. She would watch for any sign of a guard as she creeped along the wall, intent on meeting her colleague.
Leoxander offered Mahri a passive nod to whatever they'd been discussing, before drawing his black mask across his features, and his hood over his skull. Weapons were not necessarily obvious, but not all of them were concealed, either. The rogue's appearance wasn't necessarily a friendly or comforting one, so like Tysinni, he'd blend to shadows and drift back into the Beta's wake. The target was likely in sight, by then and if there was thing Leoxander was confident doing, it was pirating. Immediately, he'd scan the vessel for someway aboard it other than the obvious entry, but the manner of craft was somewhat foreign to the sailor. No immediate move made yet unless it seemed there was no other choice but hasty decision. For now, he would observe and wait his moment to act.
Mahri had her own hood drawn up, the one attached to the cloak that obscured her figure and allowed her to blend easily into shadows when she chose to. In this case, it's an unhurried walk to the base of the tower with Leo presumably behind her. Silvery eyes might catch a bit of that bluish glow when a glance is darted towards the hovering air-ship. Yes, this was not at all like the ocean going vessels the beta was used to. Like her alpha, Mahri is also scanning for a way into or onto that ship. Her path would probably lead to a door but this was Leo's gig. Mahri is along for support.
The airship jostles slightly as the winds lash out in a frenzy again. Elsewhere, in the captain's room, Malvier reads through a recent treatise covering a controversial appraisal of ascendancy, carefully evaluating and preparing his own counterarguments to be presented on his return to Vhys. In the ship's holds, those fermin crew not assigned to watch duty play knucklebones with their rations as stakes - a more harmless, sanctioned, way for the fermin to indulge in their usual desire to steal their fellows' rations to add to their own stashes. On the ground, the tower remains silent and locked, an impressive spike of black shadow against the night.
Ranok || The drunken traveler, stevedore, or whatever he was, begins to leave from where he was. The whole way he grumbles about 'ships not being ready to go when I want 'em' and other slurs against lazy crewmen. He goes to the warehousing surrounding the docks. The instant he's in the shadows, and out of view, he straightens up. Eyes that glitter with intelligence fix onto the bits of the tower he can spot from there. A hand reaches up to scratch the stubbled chin. He didn't notice the others. He knew them to be out there, of course. He hopes the rest had spotted him gone to get a better look. He was, after all, the only one on the ground and would be a witness, if no one else suspected it to be Ranok as he was. Ranok was joined by two other men, dressed equally shabbily and each carrying bags. They were two selected from The Fold for their looser views of morality. Just in case things got hairy. He waits while the rest of the group meets up or investigates, whichever happened. Up close the rest would be able to tell who he was, mostly by smell. And Ty because she knew it was his disguise.
Tysinni continues her stealthy path along the side of the tower and eventually she gains the locked door that had been her goal in the first place. She had detected no guard around the base and was therefore ready to get on with the next stage of the plan. If the others were ready. She hoped they were. The thief crouches low next to the door, pressing up against it even as she pulls her lock picking tools out of top of her boot. Ty takes a moment to pause, take a deep breath, before letting out a low, long whistle. It would just be loud enough to carry in the still night air. The coast was clear. Hopefully the right people will have heard it. Turning to the side, Ty feels for the lock so that she may figure out what tools to use.
Leoxander studied the lit vessel above. He was never one to take or appreciate means of travel in the air. Even now, he could see no way to easily board the airship, though he did glance to see how far that tall tower was from the hovering thing, and sighed a warm breath in the night. He'd noticed Ranok's stumble into a building but had chosen not to follow inside. Doused and dressed in black and natural shadow, he'd crouch in a mess of cargo, wishing there were a way to confused the bunch for a batch missed, needing access to that ship. But there were no workers to harass or capture to convince the captain of that, and there was no point in damaging a thing needed in working order, to provide any use. Even a grappling hook might be too much of a risk, as they'd feel it long before the climb could be made. He'd search a look Mahri's then Ranok's way, capturing his firestarting device from pocket, his hand cupped over it for a dull flash of light that would make his accomplices aware of his position, though the spark was covered from the top. And if it was a sight captured by anyone on that level, it would only provide a means of distraction away from the place Ranok worked. He was probably a good distance from where he'd heard that telltale whistle, yet, but had a hell of a running ability, when necessary. Leo was used to bringing up the back, anyhow.
Mahri eased the hood back from equally dark hair since twisted and tortured into a braid that was tucked down beneath the cloak so it wouldn't get in her way. After that, the beta eases her own self into a crouch against the boarding tower, locked up tight or so it seemed. Sneaking a glance over her shoulder, she squints her eyes against the flash of light from Leo's firestarter, saving what night vision she had for keeping watch. She was staring towards the warehouses where a figure had disappeared and while he smelled and acted drunk, there was something just slightly off in the mannerisms. Maybe it's that the words that drifted to her weren't quite slurred enough for the level of implied inebriation.
Suspended above the tower, its elerium-plated hull presenting little in the way of handgrips, the ship lists slightly under another surge of powerful winds. Protected from being cast astray by the sorceries bound into its hull. Inside the captain's cabin, the force of the external winds are enough to encourage Malvier to rest his sheaf of parchments down and concentrate, fingers floating languidly as arcane threads realign the ship's wards with the external pressures of nature. Half a dozen fermin skulk abovedeck on watch, concealed from line of sight by the ship's elevation, but keen Lycan noses may well catch a strong whiff of the tainted ratmen. Below, the tower's lock gives to the thief Tysinni's nimble ministrations, leaving only the problem of the solid spar of timber in its bracket, which presently bars the now-unlocked tower doors from the inside. A sign, perhaps, that those of Vhys weren't quite as trusting of the locals as might otherwise appear - that or simply another basic security precaution.
Ranok skulks with the others. He'd seen Leo's distinct fire starter, remembering it from the time or two it'd be taken out in front of him. Such little things impressed themselves upon the man. In this case, because the particular thing was interesting. The two men he'd brought along also reinforce what it seemed they'd all independently figured out. Ranok nods to the other men and each sets their bags down. Three cloaks come out, three cloaks are put on. Each man had slightly different supplies. Ranok also belts on Mirabelle, the device that was slowly becoming his trademark. The two men had heavy looking crossbows that they'd put together. Nothing fancy. They were designed to throw a heavier bolt. Or, a normal bolt with something on it, like, say, a rope. That windswept gauntlet is put on after. None of the three had heavy armor, just some leathers that were reinforced where they could be. The shabby clothes had hid the leathers. Finally, each man had a sword, though Ranok belted out a pouch. Full of ammunition for Mirabelle, it could be assumed. A few vials rest on it. A few prepared tricks. Each man reaches up and flicks the clasp of the cloak, and each disappears. Kattanos' handiwork, demonstrated for the first time. The switch activated the 'drain user's energy', thus keeping the reserved magic in store for their proper use. The three men make their ways across the bare ground to where they saw Leo. Once they were in Leo's cover, they'd turn it back off. The drain was high enough that they didn't want to keep it on with the prospect of a fight so close. Hopefully Leo saw them literally disappear into thin air, and connect that to the footsteps he'd hear close. If not, Ranok would speak up, his voice impossible to not recognize, before the lycan could strike, "Leo. Deed hyu bring hennyvun else?" Still he had not seen Mahri, the Beta quite good at her skill.
Tysinni || Upon a rather blind, physical examination of the lock, the thief would quiet remove two picks from her small kit before slipping it back into her boot. Now with both hands free but for the two slim tools, she would gingerly feel for the opening of the lock. The tools were both slim and metallic, no more than a few inches long but with very different functions. The first had a hook at the end that Ty used to slip inside the opening and grab the little latch that controlled the tumbler. Once she felt the hooked tool catch, she used the other flatter, straighter tool to press inside against the thin pieces of metal that made up the tumbler. It was the work of seconds to manipulate the tools, flicking the different parts of the tumbler out of the way until she was able to press against the back. Another second and she used both picks to turn the latch mechanism and with a very quiet 'click', the lock popped open. The very satisfied thief grins quietly to herself, before slipping the tools back into her boot and standing up. Deciding to test her work, Tysinni takes ahold of the door, pulling slowly and carefully as not to make any noise and sound an alert. The door budged very little and she felt a weight preventing the door from opening more than a few millimeters. Frowning, the the disappointed thief returns the door to rest and she'd wait against the side of the tower, hidden in shadows until the others arrived or gave her a signal.
Leoxander spoke to Ranok low, deep in his throat, once he almost figured out what the man had said. "My Beta has our back." Leo wasn't stupid enough to roam alone, these days. And if he'd misheard, and Ranok had asked 'anything' or 'hennyvun' had his satchel on him, his compound bow hugged to torso, his body armed. He had an explosive or two, including those he'd planned to use on last resort that evening. The rogue never came unprepared. "What's the plan?" He bothered to ask, gaze shifting back to that ship in the air. Apparently the disappearing act didn't startle him, when he had easily tracked their scents coming closer. Being a lycanthrope was as much a blessing as it was a curse. That click-clack in the distance caught by Lycan sharp ears, he'd remind, toward the end. "Your girl's in. Let's hurry this up. Only reason I'm helpin' you is cause we're gonna need this thing, tonight."
Ranok takes off the cloak, revealing the leathers underneath. He answers the wolf, "Have a levitation lager. Your Beta can use it to get up and come back down the tower. Looks like the door is locked again from the inside. She's faster then me, and more quiet. After our own way is free, the three with the cloaks go up and attempt to neutralize any guards or people on watch. After that, the captain. If we still haven't been detected, bar the entrances to the crew quarters. We'll take the ship to the place we'll load the goods onto and deal with them there. However we want to do that." He'd forgone the accent to ease communication for the lycan he was speaking to. If Mahri did hear or come close, he'd hand her the cloak and lager in question. He'd stick to good 'ol fisticuffs. One of the other soldiers would give up his to Ty, when they were moving into the tower. The third wasn't a thief or assassin, but he had been a chimney sweep before. He had a head for heights and good footing. He'd fit the bill for the third come up.
Mahri noticed Tysinni. How could she not when seeing in the dark wasn't much of a problem. Drawing the dagger from its home at her thigh, the lycan creeps up on the theif with silent steps, her voice just barely above a whisper,"Problem, girl?". She had smelled the fermin above, that whipping wind made it easy even if it did pull her cloak against her body. Eying the door, the slight ajar-ness of it said it should be open and wasn't. Easing past Tysinni, the beta gets upclose and personal with the entryway before noticing the cross-bar. Cursing silently, she tries to wiggle fingers in the small opening, perhaps to see if she might not be able to raise it enough to..possibly... The thick plank barely nudges with the pressure of finger tips, but there is still the slim blade of her dagger. Depending on if it is slid into brackets on eitherside, she might be able to use that to raise the bar and eas it to the ground. If it was? Well..they might have to make a bit of noise.
Mahri gave up no her idea and turns to eye Ranok. "Levitation..what?" Mahri didn't fly without Sora and the thought of doing it on her own wasn't a comfortable one. Still, she'll look up towards the top of the tower. "I can do it."
The winds die down again to a light breeze, calm once more returning to the night. The slight creak and thrum of riggings drifts through the air along with the distant shriek of an owl spotting its diminutive prey.
Ranok holds out the bottle in question, "Alcohol from Enchantment. Has a bit of a kick. The whole thing makes you float. I suspect half one makes you much lighter. If you fancy your jumping abilities, you can try that. But it will be a little noiser. Use the tower to guide you if you float up." The cloak was offered in the other hand. If she didn't know how it worked, he'd show her the switch to flick. The man then adds, in the same low voice he'd been using the whole time, "Did you hear the plan?" He was assuming she did, given that she overheard the bit about levitation.
Tysinni gives way to the other female as she comes up out of the dark. It had only been a slight surprise to see her, for Mahri was as good at being undetected as the thief was. Her voice is low and barely loud enough to be a whisper, knowing that lycan ears could pick it up. "Its barred from the inside. We might need to change our plans." Which of course is when the plan is told. She waits silently in the dark, willing to let the planner guide them for the moment. It wasn't her show, after all. She slips away from the door, using the shadows to approach the others so that she can be apprised of the situation. Or that she could inform them of the door situation. "Its unlocked, but barred from the inside." Ty assumed that was why Mahri was given some rather strange liquid. She knew, from past experience with the dearly departed Cornelius, just how potent the brew was after watching him float about Kelay Tavern's ceiling for the better part of an hour. The thief trails her gaze up the tower, squinting as if she could see the point of entry on top. Which, she most likely couldn't.
Leoxander narrowed his eyes at the idea of Mahri being the one to head up. He'd been about to ask why he couldn't damn well do it, but remembered the Druid Assassin had a few extra tricks up her sleeves, if things went bad. A few more means to capture, on her own. He'd only given her a little of that Captain training, but he trusted she could do this and would respond, at last, with a stern nod. A touch at the gold earring in his right ear, and he'd look the way he'd noticed the Beta to move, which he'd thought was too far away to hear, but perhaps not, with her lycan ears. "You get her in trouble, I'll flay you." That was all he'd warn Ranok of as he watched the exchange, and met eyes with his long time friend with her silver eyes. "I'll cover you." He wasn't quite sure how, yet, but he wouldn't leave until this was complete, and she was at his side returning to their island and pack.
Mahri took the lager from Ranok and gave it a suspicious glance before either twisting it open or taking a page from Leoxander's book and using her teeth to pull the cork out. Raising a brow at the cloak, she looks down at her own. Now, something that could make one look invisible would be useful in many other situations so her own will be removed and the one Ranok offers taken and fastened over her shoulders and at the throat. She listened to his instructions, tilting her head so he wouldn't have to speak above more than a breath if he didn't want to. Another quick look up and a nod before lips are pressed together in thought. Shifting a silvery glance towards Leo, the beta chooses this moment to maybe put the alpha on the spot, "Alpha, anything happens.." She won't finish it, the reference to her son and the question she'd asked him before. Mahri would hardly give him time to respond before half the bottle is consumed and the covering or stopper put in place. She didn't feel all that different but when hands to go the side of the tower, rough or smooth, there is a definate difference when she begins pulling her body up the side with whatever finger or foot holds she can find. Before long, the beta is up, half way and soon after she'll disappear into the dark to all but the sharpest of eyes and even then those would come from below because the lycan has fiddled with the clasp to activate the special feature Ranok had described. Hopefully, she'll make it to the top unchallenged except for the crack of wind, rigging and lanyards.
Cornelius || The staircase at the top of the tower is shielded from the weather by an office built on the platform, the lock and door not as complicated or sturdy as the one guarding the ground entry. The tower, once broached, will be empty, although there are strong smells of the human and elven passengers which have recently used the airship service, as well as a hint of fermin.
Ranok doesn't do anything more then say, "I've given her all I can." in response to Leo's own words. He makes a gesture to the two other men. One hands his cloak to Ty, the instructions on how to use it repeated if necessary. Ranok would add, "But you'll have to give it back." He knew how much Ty would like that particular fashion. The third one would step up and wait for the signal for himself to get up to help Mahri clear the ship of any watchmen. Even the most skilled assassin could only handle so much, so hopefully the extra hand to knock someone out or kill them was faster. Ranok pointledly mentioned 'try to be nonlethal'. That meant that knock them out if you could do it silently. Kill them if not. He wasn't going to restrict the assassin from her trade, if need be. As for himself, Leo, and the last soldier, they would wait inside the office the top of the tower, out of sight, but close enough to burst out and help if things went south fast.
Mahri breaths a sigh of relief to find not even a guard posted after a thorough search with senses much sharpened still since she'd been blinded. That sight too is up to snuff and then some as she scans the platform and moves quietly to the office. Crouching she inspects the door and lock. It's all the beta can do not to scoff aloud at the arrogance of some people. She didn't even need the fancy tools Tysinni employed to crack this one. A sharp jab of dagger and a twist releases the lock and the door opens with only the barest of creaks. Wincing, she waits, holding her breath, to see if anyone, or thing, had heard it above the twang of swaying cables. Easing inside and closing the door behind her, Mahri remembers to breath and she trods down the stairs to the lowest level and eases the bar away from the door. Ty had already unlocked it so it was only a matter of opening it that would let the group below in. She sure as hell wasn't going to be clearing anything on her own.
Tysinni silently accepts the cloak, giving Ranok a sardonic look at his whispered words. If it worked very well, they'd just see about her giving it back. It could come in very handy when breaking and entering. The thief just pulls the cloak on over her clothes, fastening the clasp around her neck as she looks up to watch Mahri's progress. She couldn't help but be impressed at the Beta's skill. Ty slips closer to the door she had unlocked, waiting for the tell tale sound of it being unbarred. A hand is pressed against the door and as she feels movement on the other side, she pulls the door open cautiously preventing any noise from being made. The thief nods at Mahri, slipping past her through the door and into the tower.
Leoxander took his compound bow from his body as he stood, knocking arrow in ready. He'd move toward that tower after the wake of the others, but it would have been foolish to leave their ground empty for someone to stalk up behind, so the rogue would hesitate in the rear of the party. A glance toward each to enter the tower and he'd steal a look across the airship dock cautiously. He had no cloak of invisibility, but for the way he moved they might wonder for the time being if Leo was even still there with them. He was, just at a short distance, watching their backs.
The winds begin to build up once again, the design of the tower creating an occasional updraft amidsts the otherwise chaotic whirling of the air's currents.
Mahri 'll stand there, to the side of the door and when Leo comes up, she'll nod to him with softly spoken words. Human ears would have to strain to hear them, "I'll stay here, watch the entrance and meet you back in Rynvale." Mahri wouldn't let anyone through that door.
[[Mahri made a post there that doesn't require Mahri to be NPC'd unless stuff happens on the ground.
Tysinni makes a few hand signals, miming her intention of going up the stairs. With the cloak and her own skills, she knew that she'd be able to make it onto the ship without being seen. She'd catch the eye of the soldier who still had on a cloak before tilting her head in a signal to follow her. The thief starts to ascend the steps, pulling the hood of the cloak over her head and enabling its design. Its only a few moments before she gains the top of the tower and Ty immediately heads towards the nearest access point to the air ship. The ropes anchoring it to the tower. This was the kind of thing she excelled at. Tysinni grabbed a hold of the rope and swung her leg around it, getting in position to climb.
Leoxander spoke in low tones with Mahri, beta and alpha confirming their own piece of the plan with some stern looks from the rogue's end. The two would part ways with a simple nod, and Leo was gone into the night to watch their cover while Mahri was climbing those stairs rapidly after Tysinni, dosage ready and waiting. The Beta, too, was cloaked and hooded, that fabric drawn nearer to conceal her image while they raced to higher levels. A tilt back of that bottle after a suspicious look at it, and the potion had been consumed. Silver eyes would pinpoint the target above as the weight left the woman's strong built frame, and hopefully the effect would be just enough, that, invisible, she would have no effort drifting to a clutch of that ship's base. Crawling into the first safe opening available, the woman used that lightweight ability to some advantage, moving with virtually no sound, no sight, toward the deck of the ship. All the while, Leoxander watched what he could, from below.
Cornelius || Captain Malvier's eyes snap open from their languid appraisal of his intellectual rival's words when the arcane tendrils connecting his wards twitch with the passage of man-sized objects and enchanted items. Swiftly to his feet, the gaunt elf mage snaps his fingers, a fine-tuned blast of air passing through the alarm whistle. Designed specifically for the Fermin crew, the whistle cannot be heard by the approaching human. However, the Fermin and Lycans would find the sound very unpleasant, and those Fermin belowdecks are swift to arm and surge up rope ladders as they make their way towards the deck. The six Fermin watchmen on deck silently converge on the captain's cabin to await instructions as per protocol.
Tysinni continues her climb, hand over hand, pulling her body up the tether to the ship. She was distantly aware that Mahri had used her drink to gain the ship already and she sped up as much as possible without compromising her stealthiness. The thiefs legs were wrapped around the rope, her leather pants perfect for sliding against the rough hemp as she went higher and higher. The rope Ty was using was attached to the railing along the stern of the air ship, allowing her to gain the side and peer onto the deck without much difficulty. Presently, she'd grab the siding and use the rails to pull herself up and over onto the deck. The cloak was doing its job, concealing her form from sight as the thief slips along the side of the cabin. As soon as she had gained the ship, she became aware that something was wrong. The vessel fairly vibrated with activity and the grouping of guards around what she assumed was the captain's quarters, warned her to their alertness. Ty presses herself against the wall, reaching inside the cloak for her dagger and gripping the hilt with her hand.
Ranok frowns as the whistle goes off. There was the alarm. He'd later yell at Ty and anyone listening that the wards had been neglected. He didn't remind them to look because he assumed them to be professional. But that didn't matter. Those cloaked would be told to keep them on were they near. Only outright magic would oust them, or the sound of movement, and a blade flashing in the dark would make the men on edge even as the more mundane fighters would hold their own. As for the man himself, he pulls out two plugs of wax and then stops them into his ears. Then, withdraws a slender tube. This little trick would be horrifically crippling to the fermin on board. He didn't twist the tube, which would activate the device just yet. He was moving up the tower with the uncloaked soldier behind and the invisible one nearly on the deck. If Leo would draw up close, two plugs of wax would be pressed into the lycan's hands with a short, "Put them in your ears." His tone and expression suggested that time not be wasted on asking what they were for.
[[Ranok nixes his post, unless Leo hears the dog whistle and alerts the man. Otherwise, skip it.
[[You points out that dog whistles cannot be heard by humans.
Leoxander really doesn't know what is going on, and he'd be wearing an irritated expression as he did as Ranok expressed. Mahri, above, she'd not been warned of this, though, and even at a distance her hands slapped over her ears just before she reached that upper deck with a gasp just loud enough for fermin ears to catch, beyond the alarm. The neared might turn a whiskered, pointy snout her way, to which she promptly replied with a hard elbow under it's jaw, and in a flurry of lycan and cloak, sidled behind it with a twist of neck. Another Fermin, near, caught sight of this... or... sight of what appeared to be a ripple in the air, and then his buddy slumping to the ground. Rodent tail stiffened a bit in alarm, but rather than be an intelligent species and inform the rest, curiosity may have got the best of him, and before reason could be considered, he'd have a blade out of thin air, through his torso, bulging eyes revealing the sudden surprise. Four more deckhands would turn toward the commotion in time to see - or rather hear the growl of a lycan before she emerged, silver eyed. The alarm had already been called, and suddenly, there was a fray, a brawl on the deck, four versus one.
Leoxander ^The nearest
Cornelius|| Having alerted his crew, Captain Malvier opens a mahogany box to retrieve and don two rings of elerium set elegantly into mithril. The elf pulls a naval longcoat around his shoulders, its linings interwoven with protective sorceries of his own design, the inner pockets of the Captain's longcoat contain certain items which the elf would use in the event of being personally drawn into conflict. Thus prepared, and naval sabre at his hip, Captain Malvier steps out of his cabin even as an elaborate double-spiralling of the Captain's arms cause a small vortex of wind to focus around him, his hidden Captain's pendant permitting him to cast air magics on the deck of the airship - a task otherwise almost impossible due to the wardings built into the hull. The frist of the armed Fermin crew make it deckside, another eight of them, but are not yet near enough to assist. Malvier is moderately surprised to see a third of the nightwatch already down by his cabin, and their fallen daggers are whipped up into a flurry of wind with a flick of the mage's hand and focus of will. Mahri would find herself with four Fermin crowding her, daggers and cutlasses hacking at her while Malvier's wind-dancing blades start slashing towards her face.
Ranok comes out of the office to the guard railed plank to the deck of the ship. His ears were stopped with the wax in them, and for good reason. He didn't check that the others did. The soldier that was invisible did not, but went to help Mahri. Another invisible blade to assist her, his first target being that of the neck of a fermin, where fairly every armor had a weakness. The uncloaked one had hastily plugged his own ears. Ranok moves onto the deck, unsubtle in his approach, but before too many could notice him, he twists the cylinder in his hands and lets loose with a hail mary throw to plop it in the thickest of the fermin. The entrapped wind inside the thing does its faithful duty, and blows outward as best it can. However, it didn't explode outwards, but positively screamed. The trapped wind passed through whistles built into the cylinder at high speeds, producing the most keening wail imaginable. Any of sensitive hearing would be instantly crippled, down on the ground, and even those of lesser hearing would be hurting. Ranok and the soldier would be fine, their ears stopped. Hopefully Leo did the same. Ranok would go among the fallen fermin if the device did its purpose, aiming thunderous kicks, whacks, and punches to disable, disarm, or knock out as many of the disabled as he could, while he could. The screecher wouldn't last forever, a minute at most, but the aftereffects weren't something to be walked off completely.
Tysinni pulls back against the wall as the door to the captain's quarters bursts open. Still hidden with the depths of that special cloak, the thief would slip around the door and the Captain, heading (hopefully) unnoticed towards the small melee. Her steps quicken and at the last second, she leaps at the nearest of the fermin, intending to land on its back to subdue it. There is no sound, save the soft shift of leather against decking before the crewman would feel a weight land on its back. Before he has a chance to react, Ty would use the hilt of her dagger to hit him in the sensitive place at the back of his head. A second later and another body slumped to the ground unconscious. A soft hiss and a sharp pain across her cheek and she ducks, avoiding the flying weapons. "Magic…" Before she can even voice any more of her disgust, a horribly tremendous sound assaults her, knocking her to one knee on the deck. Ty grabs at her head, trying to hold the pain in her head, looking around with bleary eyes. Almost immediately she realized it was Ranok's device and she pushes herself up, noticing that she seemed to be a great deal less affecte than others. Assuming that the Captain would be affected as well, the thief makes her invisible way towards him, circling to come up from behind. If she gains his rear without notice, Tysinni would attempt to subdue, using her arm around his neck, a dagger pressing into his side and a warning hissed into his ear. "If you value you your life, do not move."
Leoxander | Mahri seemed to have a few more than four, given the scents on the wind. There were more, topside, if that could be considered a 'topside' on an airship. Whatever weapons she had on her person would be drawn then, and unlike Leo, would who have taunted and bared his teeth at that point, the druidic assassin only focused her eyes on her prey. She'd been alpha, before beta, and survived far worse than this. Although she had nothing of the earth to call upon, so far up, it wasn't necessary. Blades would promptly clash and the woman would have to move quick to avoid the reckless swings and flays of blades in clawed grip, the fermin doing as rodents would - swarming her, all at once. Parries and deflections were met with the daggers in hand, swings and brutal splices aimed for thick throats, likely catching at least one for her efforts.
Leoxander would be assisted by the soldier, too. Leo's player had forgotten.
The screecher goes off, and Fermin shriek in pain as their ears are brutalised by the sonic waves, their balance destroyed by the assault on their inner ears. That Mahri, sans earplugs, fought on through such an assault would undoubtedly earn her the respect of caution, but the Fermin would fall quickly enough while handicapped in such a fashion. As the device unleashes its trapped winds, Captain Malvier sneers, his personal wards and specialisation with the element of air throwing off all but the slightest of the device's effects. However, the sudden loss of an effective crew was something the Captain could and would not ignore. The moment the shrieking commences the sneering Captain makes a wind-assisted leap, kicking off against his own cabin wall. The jump sends Malvier up and away, elevated further by the vortex of wind surrounding him, on a well-practiced course to the crow's nest. Tysinni, who moved after the Captain's leap, would miss her opportunity, but would hopefully be able to assist Mahri further before the Fermin recovered. As Malvier swiftly glides, his hands work to weave into the tendrils of wind being expelled from the wailing device, repurposing it to to pick up more of the fallen Fermin's weapons. As he lands into the cover of the crows nest, he crouches to gain cover and a moment to obtain the appropriate focus required for his next step. Malvier's fingers dance like that of a marionetteer, sending daggers dancing to cut and slash high and low at each of the intruders. No Captain of Vhys would concede defeat without a proper attempt to expunge the scum intruding upon their decks, no matter how well-prepared the assault.
Ranok kicks another fermin in the head, then looks up at the captain just as he sails through the air. He gives another kick to another fermin, and then yells out to Ty, "Go! Get 'em!" Her ears would be ringing, as they were unprotected for the duration of the screech. His own hands reach up to yank out the earplugs out. His windswept arm goes up. Two could play at the wind game. The man was unaware of the wardings around the ship for anti wind magic. He would try to call the wind to knock the captain from his perch, the other soldiers around him cleaning up the rest of the fermin. Unfortunately, they did not have Ranoks restraint, or his skill. A few of the fermin would be killed, or mortally wounded while they did. Ranok frowns as he pours his personal energy into the gauntlet, not yet realizing what was eating so much magic up for so little in return. He cuts it out before long, the cost too great. The wind would then subside from the mere restless stir that it was. Mirabelle would be drawn out, and then fired. It was less effective then on the ground. Unless the crystal it projected hit something, or the captain, it'd sail off over the edge to blow the shingles off a warehouse instead.
Tysinni silently curses as she's just a second too late to attack the Captain. She watches as he flies through the air with more than a little surprise. She had had no idea he could do something like that. Head aching and resisting the urge to be impressed, she's already heading for the side rigging, on a mission to get to Malvier. Ranok's words spur her into further action and she tries her best to stay concealed in the cloak, even as her movements whip the covering around, showing glimpses of her dark form. A sharp sting in her arm alludes to the fact that she wasn't quite as careful as she could have been, a unidentified flying weapon having sliced neatly through cloth and flesh. The lack of pain directly after being wounded warns her that cut is deeper than she would've liked. Tysinni ignores it, even as she rams the hilt of her dagger into the back of another crewman's head. Without even waiting to see him fall, she takes the last few steps to the rope ladder that is leading to the crow's nest. The thief sticks her knife between her teeth, feeling very much like a pirate as she starts to climb. The cut in the cloak may lead to an unusual sight while climbing, a mostly shrouded figure, bleeding from an exposed gash.
Leoxander was suddenly not on that dock. No where to be seen, in fact. The rogue had taken off running once he realized there was no one on ground level to worry for. Mahri, however deaf, lived true to her title of assassin. Fermin would fall, be it one or many, and the only thing she would hear at any given time beyond that would be the screech of Sora in the distance. A gleam of metal across peripheral vision caught her awareness almost too late, and in a sudden movement with her vision restored and her senses heightened, she'd tumble across the airship deck to barely avoid the blade that nicked a strand of dark hair. Her movement only continued right onto her feet, and with an arm locked around a surviving opponent's throat, her sprint continued right for the railing of that airship. The Fermin dropped it's weapon in surprise, clutching the druid's arm even as it was dragged helplessly backward for that edge. Unfortunately it got it's wish, only after the druid had made that fateful leap off the deck, the levitation potion dwindled to the point she might only get some extra distance in that jump. And so she fell, helplessly, to the trust of that other screech her tender ears picked up in the distance, the dark black of her death drawn closer and closer until a shimmer of scales slid under her vision. And Leo's arms caught her, firmly, because unbelievably... he'd found the will and way to swallow his hate and ride that loyal dragon's back. Beta and alpha reunited, the two had done their part, they'd created their disturbance and distraction and offered enough assistance, and what was left of the airship's capture would be destined to Ranok and his crew. The wolves were a speck in the sky and then gone, Sora carrying mother/assassin to her cub and likely depositing the pirate somewhere along the way.
One of the magical crystals fired from Mirabelle flies true, striking the crowsnest with a flash of light and a shockwave of concussive force. Still lightened by his own magics, Captain Malvier is sent hurtling from the ship. A stream of elven curses trail from the flying, singed and slightly-bleeding elf, and the swarm of wind-dancing Fermin daggers (which by now should have caused a few cuts on the various intruders) drops to the deck as Malvier loses control of the spell. A few moments later there would be a glow from the rings on Captain Malvier's hands as his freefall slows, and stops in the cluster of warehouses, and a rush of air and dust will be sent up by the elf, as if something had hit the ground with great force. In light of his current position, Malvier takes the long view, and leaves to report the turn of events to his masters. By the time the Fermin are under control or dead, and the Lycans left by Dragonback, the elf will have made his stealthy escape, cursing the likely demotion and court martial to come.
Ranok had been cut by the damn daggers, but the leathers took a good brunt of it. Assuming that they were slashing things, not stabbing, and not doing anything more then serving as a distraction. He hadn't been paying them too much of a mind, really, trying to keep moving while they chased. Gwen would have a fit when she saw the lines all over his arms, however. And the rest of him. Eyes watch the sail of the elf as he used the concussive force of Mirabell's shell to propel along and out of sight. He sighed. Internally, at least. One of the daggers was suddenly in his face and he jerked back as he batted at it with a hand. Luckily for him, about then was when the connection was severed and it dropped. Now Ranok would breath in relief. Those fermin that weren't clutching themselves in pain, knocked out, or dead, would be rounded up in short order. After a moment's deliberation, Ranok would stick them in the tower, after barring the lower door shut as hard as he can, and using a good bit of breaking the lock to boot. Unless any of the ones knocked out woke up to try their luck at jumping, they'd have to wait for rescue or try to break the door down with whatever they could internally. His attention would then turn to the important thing: getting the heck out of there. He didn't really know how to sail a ship. The lines connecting it to the dock would be cut for speed, and they'd shove off. The sails would need to be unfurled, that much he knew, but to go about it was a little trickier. He'd study the sails while the others moved around him, possible to make suggestions.
Tysinni is already several yards up the rope ladder when Mirabelle's shot hits the area around the crows nest. Which unfortunately included the thief in the periphery. A familiar blinding light assaults Ty's eyes and she cries out, her dagger dropping from her mouth at the same time as she's hit by the blast of force. If not for the hold she had on the ladder, she would've been thrown from the ship along with the Captain. Instead, she's thrown against the mast, whacking into it with enough force to wrench pain into her already injured arm and head. Ty hangs from the ladder, disoriented and fighting to hang on. Perhaps over the noise of the crew being subdued, one could hear her muttering dire threats about Ranok and his demonic weapon. It takes several moments for her eyesight to clear and for her to be able to start a descent. Her right hand is slippery from the blood that had dripped from the cut on her arm, so its slow going all the way to the deck. The sounds of Fermin being herded into the 'below' decks is ignored until she is able to gain steady footing. When she is able to stand on her own, Tysinni jerks the hood off her head, glaring around rather belligerently. First order of business was to help get things secure. Second: Find Ranok and whack him one.
Ranok tugs on a rope experimentally. He was pretty sure that was the one to make the sails go up. He tugs it. The thing does, but only half of it. The sail was all bunched up. He hms. And then sends one of the men to get the other one. The other chap was still dragging bodies of conscious or semi conscious crewmen off the ship. When Ty approached, he'd give her his most winning smile. "Ty. There you are. Go and check belowdecks to make sure no one hid in the fuss. Be quick. Might have a scuttle measure put in." His attention would return to attempting to raise the main sail. He wasn't too concerned with accidently damaging the ship, not getting the proper sails up, or the like. He just wanted to limp the thing to the people that could. Namely, the fellows back at a makeshift dock he'd had put together when this harebrained scheme was cooked up.
Tysinni glares back at Ranok, before stripping off the special cloak and her duster. Both had large cuts and were damn with her own blood. The thief grimaces as the cloth pulls away from injured flesh, looking slightly disconcerted at how deep the wound was. The flying sword had bitten deep into her skin and it would definitely need tending to before her arm would be fully functional again. Tysinni reaches down into her duster, pulling out a colorful bandana. The piece of cloth was part of one of her costumes and she hated ruining it. But she hated bleeding more. Taking a moment to tie the makeshift bandage, one-handed, around her wound, she gets herself patched up as best she can. Finally, she turns her attention to Ranok and gives him a might frown. "You tried to kill me." She's already turning to go below decks as she continues muttering dire threats under her breath. The thief passes by her friend and reaches up to smack him on the back of the head with her good arm as she goes. "Stupid demonic device. Stupid flying weapons. Why can't people just try to hack each other anymore?" Stomping towards the stairs, she proceeds to check the hold for stragglers.
Ranok is seemingly unmindful of her whack. He calls back after her, "Be careful!" He figured that there would be crewmen underneath the deck that stayed behind or hid there when things went south, and he was right. A group of three were in the galley and would be able to be heard, unless Ty was blundering along.
Tysinni slips down the stairs, going quiet as she hit the top one. She knew that they weren't completely safe yet and was going to take precautions to ensure that she wasn't killed. "Much as Ranok seems to want to try tonight...." It was slightly taxing work to carefully work her way through the hold, quietly opening doors and searching for leftover crewmen. Her arm ached with a fierce throbbing pain that was hard to ignore. She knew that it was still bleeding, sluggishly dripping down her bare arm to her fingerless gloves. She hated dirty leathers. Blood was so hard to clean out. She continued her quiet, sneaky search even as the made it to the galley. Here, there was no door, just an opening around the corner of the hall. She paused, hearing slight noises from inside, pressing herself against the wall so that she can take a quick peek. There were three of them, Fermin crewman who had apparently decided to stay behind when the alert was sounded. The thie quickly reached for her dagger, only to realize it was still up on deck where it had fallen. Her mind processes several options before landing on one that had the least risk to herself. Quietly, she reaches down into her boot and reaches for her other blade, a smaller, thinner one that wasn't good for much of anything except in times of emergency. The blade was barely two inches long, it wouldn't even be long enough to pierce any organs were it to puncture skin. Ty slides the small knife from its sheath and quickly twists to place herself square in the doorway. "Hey! You in there!" A slight flick of her wrist and the tiny dagger would be pertruding from the shoulder of one crewman. "Get off my ship." The injured Fermin lets out a yelp of pain before charging towards her, comarades in tow. Tysinni spins and heads straight back down the hallway, up the stairs and out on deck as fast as she can. "Incoming!" She starts bellowing before she's even sight of Ranok and the other Fold members.
Ranok turns towards the commotion as Ty erupts from the hold. He'd gotten one sail up, and was in the process of getting the second. The ship was limping along and had made some progress towards whereever they were heading, at least.
Ranok furrows his brow. He wasn't too surprised to see some down there. They were probably caught banking the fires, or cleaning, or the like. Not ever man could make it to the deck instantly. However, he barks and order and the soldiers jump on the things, and Ranok gets one himself. Three soldiers spear tackling fermin would be a sight to see. His order wasn't 'kill them!' but 'capture them!'. The three struggle with their quarry in various degrees of difficulty. The one who hadn't had the cloak was beaten up from the floating blades and was having trouble, while the one that did was fresh and was having an easier time of it. As for the unfortunate fermin that Ranok tackled, he wasn't having a good time. Being hit with something twice your size and more then a few times your weight hurts quite a bit, and a whoosh of breath leaves the creature Ranok hit. Along with the sound of a cracking bone. It meant that Ranok's struggle was fairly simple. Good thing, because that aggravated his wounds, and he was bleeding more then he had let on. After the struggle, with much cursing from all parties, the fermin would be subdued. There was only just so much they could do against someone larger then them, and sans weapons, it was a one sided battle. In the aftermath, with the ship limping along, Ranok would pace in front of those assembled. "Looks like you've stowed aboard my ship." When one of the crewmen spits at that, he would draw his sword to point at the offender, "It is mine. I have taken it rightfully. Stolen it, if you would." That was something the fermin understood, at least. He continues, "I will allow you your lives if you assist me. I lost a few men in the scuffle. As you see, I'm under handed. If you help the ship forward, you will be allowed to live. And be paid, to boot. If not..." He points overboard. They were high enough that the fall would kill anyone. It was funny how many similarities the ship had to oceanic ones. His argument was agreed with. The three hesitantly agree. They really didn't have a choice. And offering them gold to play to their greed didn't hurt, either. They'd then be set to the task of trimming the ship to go faster and more efficiently. They were dead rats, unfortunately. They had seen each of their faces. And perhaps a shred of loyalty would remain afterwards to make them report. Or try to turn them in for the bounty on their heads they'd be carrying. It had to be done. That was the reason why Ranok never claimed to be a good man. He'd at least make sure to hold off until no other alternatives were offered.
Tysinni dives out of the way as her pursuers clash with her fellow hijackers. She hits the deck and rolls, gritting her teeth at the fresh bloom of pain spiraling through her arm as she hit. Coming to her feet, the thief turned, ready to help engage them now that the odds were more in her favor. One of the Fold soldiers was struggling a lot more than Ranok and the other so she decides to assist him. Sweeping up a fallen sword from those that littered the deck, Ty rounds the fighting duo before simply placing her sword against the Fermin's neck. "Yield. Or I shall give you a wide grin on your neck." She was bluffing of course, but the crewman froze all the same. He allowed himself to be subdued even as the thief turned to survey the scene. Everyone seemed well in hand, so she walked rather stiffly over to the mast and leaned against it. Ranok's speech is heard with some eye rolling and silence on her part. She was willing to let him believe that it was his ship. For the time being. The choice is offered and she watches as the captive crewmen look exchange looks with each other. "Make 'em walk the plank!" The pain in her arm was making her rather grumpy and she was more than willing to continue with the threats. Tysinni still had the sword clasped in her good hand and brings it up, using it to emphasize her point with wild gesticulations. "Walk the plank!" She was rather enjoying being a pirate. And maybe, she was just a little loopy from bloodloss. "Argh, ye scurvy bilge rats! Get to work!"
Ranok does his own share of eye rolling. He'd take Ty aside a moment, "You're getting loopy. Also: you're not a pirate. Now come on. Let me look at that wound." The other two had things well in hand. Progress was slow, but the ship was slowly drifting away. He hadn't told them the heading yet, though he was getting to that part. It didn't take a genius to figure out how to steer the ship. Just turn the wheel. He had the location, a compass, and a few helpful fermin to keep him guided. He'd scrounge around underneath for any medical supplies. Some needle and thread, a copious amount of alcohol of varying quality, and some questionable concoction. He'd take all these up to the wheel and bid Ty to sit down so he could tend to her. She would be handed a bottle of whiskey and told 'have at it', while he did so.
Tysinni allows Ranok to lead her aside, before giving him an affronted look. "I am not loopy! I don't get loopy. I'll have you know, I'm the unloopiest there is." So saying, she waves her sword around to make sure the point gets across and to prove her pirate-y skills. "I could be a pirate if I wanted to! I'm very nautical." She swings the pilfered weapon around, unaware of the danger she presented to anyone in her vicinity. "Ahoy meatys! No, wait, that's not right. Matey! Mateys!" It was about that time she realized she was all alone except for the captured crewman who were giving her differing looks of disbelief, fear and wariness. "What are you lot looking at! Hoist the riggings! Unfurl the mainstay! Heading: Thataway!" She points with her sword in a vague port-like direction. Which is when Ranok reappears with medical supplies. She allows him to seat her and she carefully drops her sword to the deck so she can grip the proffered bottle. "I don't drink alcohol, you know. Impairs the senses." Tysinni lifts the whiskey to her lips and takes a deep draught, swallowing just before she starts to sputter and choke. She lets Ranok tend to her arm, the bandana sticking to her skin with all the blood. "Ouch! You scurvy dawg!" The thief takes another swig from the bottle, better able to handle it this time. "Nasty stuff this. But if I'm to be a pirate, I'll need to like it. Say, I think we should get us another ship. You know, after we blow this one up. I have a hankering to be a captain. And have a parrot." She scrunches her nose up and takes another drink. "Corny would let me be a pirate…"
Ranok rolls his eyes and tends to the woman. His stitching was neat by many means, but it would do. He'd picked up the skill by doing it on himself more then once. That was an unpleasant way to learn it, but he did so rather quickly. Which isn't surprising, given all the alternatives. He also subtly kicks the sword away, while he was at it. He'd seen her waving it just before he disappeared below deck. As he does, he vaguely humors Ty, saying, "I'm sure you'll get used to it. We will. And I know he would." She was obviously deranged, so the other crewmen weren't giving her much more then a wide berth. His stitching was complete, so the kit was put away. And, for the final step, he reaches over with a hand and Vulcan nerve pinches her to make her shut up.
Tysinni grimaces, grumbling and twitching while Ranok tends to her arm. Each new stitch is accompanied by another drink from the bottle. It was either drink or curse and hit him in retaliation. "Ow! You dang butcher! Where'd you learn to sew? " Another drink and another stitch, "I'll be a great pirate! You'll see. They'll write stories about me. Odes! And I just thought of something else!" She sits up straighter, catching Ranok's eye, her own orbs alight with a crazed sort of fire. "Treasure! Pirates have treasure! That means gold! I love gold." The thief sighs happily and takes another drink, "Stop poking me! I'm not a damn pincushion!" She settles down again, taking several more drinks before reaching up and patting Ranok on the face with her bottle of whiskey. "You're such a gooood friend. Patching me up and all. Of course you did try to kill me. That wasn't nice. Bad. Bad friend." She frowns at him heavily, her eyes looking rather bleary, even as he finishes stitching her wound and moves to bandage it. "You shouldn't try to kill me, you know. I'm such a good thief. If we didn't have to rescue Nia, I would steal this ship from you." A squeak and her arm flies through the air, having being startled by the pinch. "You swine! I'll murderize you!" She shoots up and promptly loses her balance, falling sideways into a pile of rope. "Mmmphf! Rat bastard!" But somehow, she still has the bottle of whiskey gripped in her hand, not a drop spilled.
Ranok seems satisfied with his work there and would tend the wheel. No doubt, the entire trip would be full of such ramblings as the fine peals Ty offered, whether he wanted them or not. At least he was used to it. Rowen did similar things. He just kept to the wheel. And was plotting his revenge. Maybe spiders disguised as gold coins. That was a good one. That would be how the little airship stealing adventure would end. The group aboard now enemies of Vhys if their true identities revealed. Certainly, that would have some sort of repercussion. But it was all for the ultimate goal, and Ranok kept his eyes on the prize. It would surprise him, that so few noticed his near obsession with rescuing Nia. While he never claimed to be a 'good guy', he certainly didn't act so ruthless. It was more the old Ranok's actions this day, the one he always claimed to hate. But all that didn't matter for the moment. There was only the next step. The ship would be taken to its destination, and overhauled in the short time in order to make it able to be sabotaged. And then, its grim load would be carried on its final flight.