The Odyssey

[The Forgotten God]

Demeter seemed amused by the cannon. “Just leave it on the top deck. Chances are fucking likely you’ll get to shoot it at something.” She looked him over a second and then shook her hands in a ‘not bad’ gesture. “As for the other gun, well, let’s see if the salty air reveals any rust first. You’re going...” she had to stifle a laugh at the happy news, “you and the thief lord are going to handle to bunk together. Unless you want the jolly man with the cute monster pet.”

She looked back up to the ship as the soldier climbed aboard then grinned at him and twirled her finger in a circle to her men. “Cast off!” She called out. “Signal the Tranquility that it’s time to move out. These winds are perfect and best to save our magic for when we really need it.”

And with that...The Mighty Thornhearts set off.

[Dr. Archimedes Steller]

As the ship set off, Archimedes moved into his cabin with the help of his interns. Given that there was still no information regarding their destination, the old man decided he would only unpack the necessary alchemical equipment for him too keep his supply of to-go substances refilled. He could also use the opportunity the opportunity to experiment with new recipes, as he waved there would be plenty of idle time onboard.

After a couple hours seeing that the preparation of the equipment, and allowing for the ship to steer far enough from the Coast line, the old professor decided to go back on the deck, urging his aides to accompany him.

"You see, gentlemen, this region of the Southern Sea is usually well regarded for it's unique variety of wildlife." He lectured on his way up, his interns taking careful notes in their notebooks. One of them carried Archie's precious suitcase. "There should always be one of us on-deck keeping a lookout for potential sightings of any specimen. Preferably, the three of us will stay most of the time, but we will have to take shifts at some point of the journey."


"Also, I request that one of you should inquire about the Captain's schedule. There are some clarifications about our destination that I must see with her." The old man requested. "If she wants to take some fresh air, we can meet by the railings. But I will meet her wherever she pleases, as she is the highest authority onboard."

[The Forgotten God]

Lazy Lenny Lakraon, a young man of sixteen or so whom Archimedes has been compelled to take on as a favor to his father (the Dean of Alchemy at the Edysse Academy of the Arts Magickal) scrunched his eyes together and made a face prior to speaking that reminded the zoologist of a bulldog sniffing an unpleasant meal. Regrettably, this face was made so often that even the scientist in him secretly believed he may in fact complete his metamorphosis into some form of canine prior to ever graduating even the least form of higher education.

“I’ll go find the cap’n,” he volunteered at last, after a pause between speaking about a second and a half too long for normal motor function, “she’s purty.” Before the old man could say anything else, the youth darted off. His other intern, Sabrina Gaspar Balthasar Melchior, twirled her long black hair in her fingers and chewed on some ginger root.

“Say the word Professor and I’ll use him to find something really worth seeing out here. Although he might be too stupid to use as chum.”

As she talked the captain came back with Lenny. She made a point to stay behind him. Demeter lit a pipe and looked over the railing then turned to the professor. “Maia said you were a curious sort,” she opened with. “Curiosity’s a trait that’ll shorten your lifespan considerably out here.” The good doctor swore he saw a dark shape pass by them far below, even as shore was still in sight.

[Justine-Juliette de Vair]

Justine stowed her meagre collection of belongings and headed back up to the deck. She had never spent much time on ships or even boats before and didn’t like her odds of a good nights sleep as the vessel began to move slowly out into the open water. Still, the deck was better than the cramped, confined space that was meant to be their cabin. At least she was sharing with Demetri. It would have been complicated to be in such close quarters with a stranger.

Once on deck she headed straight to the railing, letting the wind pick up and lift her hair as they moved through the water. She found an out of the way spot to sit and watch the sailors work while she began to read Nigel’s massive book. It was quiet, but with the number of people aboard, she was sure it wouldn’t be for long. She glanced up every few psragraphs to see if anyone else had come up.

[Damien Chevalier]

Damien had been walking the deck and admiring the rigging. He was going to have to climb that later, it looked like fun. He spotted Justine sitting on the deck reading and walked quietly behind her. "That is a large tome. Did you get it from the Good Doctor. He gave me one as well, but I am afraid I lost it overboard." He sat down on the railing and let the wind ruffle his hair. "I have not had a chance to properly introduce myself, "I am Comte-in-Exile Damien Chevalier. And you are Justine, which I find to be such a lovely name. Perhaps my favorite name in existence." He bowed from his sitting position as he introduced himself.

[Justine-Juliette de Vair]

She closed the book and tilted the cover toward him so he could see it was the anniversary omnibus collection of the Thornheart papers. Nigel’s now too-familiar face was on the cover with a massive grin. “It’s from a different member of the expedition, not that you can guess who,” she deadpanned. She dog-eared the page she was on like a monster and turned to look at Damien, shading her eyes against the low morning sun.

“Your favorite name? With so many to choose from, it’s quite an honor.” She grinned at him. Definitely not one to take seriously...or one who had more in common with Nigel than he would ever admit. “It was your sister sending us out here, right? Were you surprised to see her there? Or did you expect it all along?”

[Dr. Archimedes Steller]

"Oh Miss Melchior, my dear. I do understand your concerns..." And he did, really. More often than not, since he had taken the fella, he had wanted to throw him overboards. But life had shown him that many beautiful gems could come from the roughest of rocks. Except Thornheart, he refused to see any good in that man. "But give the boy time, he just need some space to find his true calling... Which, I admit, is not definitely not anywhere near our field of study."

"Since you are so sure you could attract something more interesting by using him as bait, I pose you a challenge..." Archimedes smiled, then returned to his pacing towards the ship's railings. "There should be three different animals that would be able to swallow a man whole in these waters, but only one of them swims this close to the surface. What is it?"

"Oh, and the whole story about Lenny reminds me..." Archie made a sudden stop, his face dark when he turned towards her. "For you own safety: stay away from Mr. Thornheart. He will most likely than not make advancements towards you, but, trust me, that man is a walking shipwreck."

[Damien Chevalier]

Jul 1, 2020 15:47:21 GMT Justine-Juliette de Vair said:

She closed the book and tilted the cover toward him so he could see it was the anniversary omnibus collection of the Thornheart papers. Nigel’s now too-familiar face was on the cover with a massive grin. “It’s from a different member of the expedition, not that you can guess who,” she deadpanned. She dog-eared the page she was on like a monster and turned to look at Damien, shading her eyes against the low morning sun.

“Your favorite name? With so many to choose from, it’s quite an honor.” She grinned at him. Definitely not one to take seriously...or one who had more in common with Nigel than he would ever admit. “It was your sister sending us out here, right? Were you surprised to see her there? Or did you expect it all along?”

"Ahhh... yes. Thunderpants himself. I have not gotten around to reading any of his books, but I hear they are quite humorous." Damien replied looking down at her. He crooked a smile at her question and nodded. "That is the story we are going with. I had no idea she was my mystery employer, and it was quite a shock. In addition I hate my sister because she stole my rightful seat... the bitch." He chuckled under his breath as he said those words. "She and I are not really supposed to be seen together. I am after all exiled by Imperial edict to Bastion." He yawned and stretched his arms wide behind his head. 

[Justine-Juliette de Vair]

Jul 1, 2020 15:57:00 GMT Damien Chevalier said:

"Ahhh... yes. Thunderpants himself. I have not gotten around to reading any of his books, but I hear they are quite humorous." Damien replied looking down at her. He crooked a smile at her question and nodded. "That is the story we are going with. I had no idea she was my mystery employer, and it was quite a shock. In addition I hate my sister because she stole my rightful seat... the bitch." He chuckled under his breath as he said those words. "She and I are not really supposed to be seen together. I am after all exiled by Imperial edict to Bastion." He yawned and stretched his arms wide behind his head. 

“I read one of them when I was in...well, it was a long time ago now. Used to be my favorite. Somehow I’m beginning to have doubts about the truth in them.” She smirked and squinted a little as the sun reflected off the Well-polished cannon across the deck and the words LITTLE NIGEL seared into her retinas.

“I have a sister, too. We don’t really get along or speak much anymore. I see her now and then and it just chills my blood every time. You’d think with Innuria being the size it is she wouldn’t find me as often as she does, but then, a lot of strange things happen.” She shrugged as if to say it is what it is. “I figured you’d renounced your title in favor of the other one. Care to share what happened? I mean, I get it if you don’t. I think we all have chapters it’s better to close the book on.”

[Nigel Thornheart]

Having found a spot for Little Nigel on the deck and tucked it under a tarp lovingly like a proud father putting their child to bed, Nigel appeared beside Archimedes' like a particularly dashing albatross.

"Yes, I do tend to blow others out of the water," he interjected, curling his mustache. "Now, Captain Demeter, I see you have no shortage of sailors but I think you are in need of some proper seamen."

[The Forgotten God]

Jul 1, 2020 15:47:45 GMT Dr. Archimedes Steller said:

"Oh Miss Melchior, my dear. I do understand your concerns..." And he did, really. More often than not, since he had taken the fella, he had wanted to throw him overboards. But life had shown him that many beautiful gems could come from the roughest of rocks. Except Thornheart, he refused to see any good in that man. "But give the boy time, he just need some space to find his true calling... Which, I admit, is not definitely not anywhere near our field of study."

"Since you are so sure you could attract something more interesting by using him as bait, I pose you a challenge..." Archimedes smiled, then returned to his pacing towards the ship's railings. "There should be three different animals that would be able to swallow a man whole in these waters, but only one of them swims this close to the surface. What is it?"

"Oh, and the whole story about Lenny reminds me..." Archie made a sudden stop, his face dark when he turned towards her. "For you own safety: stay away from Mr. Thornheart. He will most likely than not make advancements towards you, but, trust me, that man is a walking shipwreck."

Sabrina went to answer but the captain cut her off. “Nothing here swallows you whole,” she said pointedly. “They’ll all chew you up into pieces the size of pebbles then shit you out in much the same shape.” The quartz on the pommel of her sword flashed silver as Archimedes role played her father. “Life at sea’s lonely. I assure you I’ve managed to make it twenty six years and somehow every man over thirty is convinced he’s my father. I have a father. He doesn’t care if I have a night of meaningless fun with some imperialistic blowhard.” She didn’t seem upset as much as dismissive.

“But if you really want something to get that old pecker pointing, in a week or so we’ll be going through the Nedrassian Serpent’s territory. Can’t imagine your Academy ever let you see that thing. I mean, it has a nonzero chance of making us all worm shit but that’s the risk of adventuring am I right?”

As Nigel dashed up, she listened to his pickup line and made a visible effort to judge between her disgust at the content of the line with the relative audacity of the statement. “After this,” she said. “But if your little fishies don’t swim, then you will.

[Damien Chevalier]

Damien shrugged, "I am pretty much an open book." He replied with a shrug. He smiled to himself and his finger stroked his mustache. "I was an awful Count. I was never around for my retainers, always off looking into my next target, or drinking in taverns no member of the nobility should ever dare enter. So when my father passed away I knew I had to resolve it. I went to Big Nick, and asked him if I could renounce my title."

Damien snorted as he pictured in his head, "Well the raging asshole had always been rather fond of me and I think he didn't really trust my Sister. So he he denied my request. He should have known we all would have been better off without me slowly steering my family lands into ruin." He chuckled, "I realized that I was going to have to take matters into my own hands." He leaned forward conspiratorially as his voice dropped, "So the next morning he walked into his throne room and there I was sitting in his throne only wearing the royal crown, with that silly sash the King only wears at when he takes the crown, holding his scepter. I was also completely naked otherwise. That was probably a mistake. Maybe a step too far." He rubbed his left temple. "He broke that scepter on the side of my head." He chuckled at the fond memory.

[Nigel Thornheart]

"Huzzah!" was the imperialist blowhard's only reply as he ran to the captain's quarters. The noise of clanging armor echoed on the ship as he hurriedly stripped off his battle regalia and prostrated himself naked on the Captain Demeter’s bed.

[Dr. Archimedes Steller]

"Well, good afternoon, Captain." Archimedes bowed courteoulsy as the Demeter approached. "People say that explorer's that are too curious never get to grow old. But you might have the opportunity of seeing a live specimen I action soon enough... In fact, in my experience, it is those that lack curiosity that do not get to live long. They often die way before body stops working, stuck in their daily routines, never getting to experience something new and exciting."

"Of course,yes, you are correct, Captain! That would have earned you high marks in my discipline." He clapped slowly, that woman surely know what she was talking about. "Unfortunately you spoiled the child's intellectual challenge, and I will have to think of another one for Ms. Melchior."

"The Nerdrassian Serpent, you say..." Archie scratched his chin, faking interest when in fact he was bubbling with excitement inside. He had heard of the beast for ages, and applied several times for the funding, always being denied by the bursar. "I had not realized we were sailing in that direction. Is the Odyssey able to outrun one of the larger specimens? I wager that if we can focus enough firepower on a large one, we can bring it to the university to be studied."

[Justine-Juliette de Vair]

Jul 1, 2020 16:25:03 GMT Damien Chevalier said:

Damien shrugged, "I am pretty much an open book." He replied with a shrug. He smiled to himself and his finger stroked his mustache. "I was an awful Count. I was never around for my retainers, always off looking into my next target, or drinking in taverns no member of the nobility should ever dare enter. So when my father passed away I knew I had to resolve it. I went to Big Nick, and asked him if I could renounce my title."

Damien snorted as he pictured in his head, "Well the raging asshole had always been rather fond of me and I think he didn't really trust my Sister. So he he denied my request. He should have known we all would have been better off without me slowly steering my family lands into ruin." He chuckled, "I realized that I was going to have to take matters into my own hands." He leaned forward conspiratorially as his voice dropped, "So the next morning he walked into his throne room and there I was sitting in his throne only wearing the royal crown, with that silly sash the King only wears at when he takes the crown, holding his scepter. I was also completely naked otherwise. That was probably a mistake. Maybe a step too far." He rubbed his left temple. "He broke that scepter on the side of my head." He chuckled at the fond memory.

Justine laughed at that. “Just a little too far. Can’t believe you made it out, honestly. Guess you’re fortunate you didn’t end up at Lockhart. I Think i heard that political prisoners usually end up there or dead.” Oh no, she had effectively brought the mood down. Time to change the subject.

“Uhhhh...thanks for the drinks in the Bastard’s Walk. That was some of the nicest wine I’ve ever had.”