Calling The Wind

[The Greenest Dolphin, The Ship's Bow, At the Figurehead]
You are on [a timeworn naval freighter].
An iron-runged, sea-rusted ladder has been bolted against the side of the prow. It stops here on the forepeak right next to the base of the Greenest Dolphin's figurehead. The great shadow of the bowsprit arcs overhead, and the creak of the sails and crash of the waves below, this is a small but almost peaceful spot to rest. Another ladder can be seen descending further downwards, but there seems to be naught save a narrow railing around the hull of the ship below.
Also here are Alun, Illi Idir, Aya, Ziyad, and Rostam Marzani. Owais is standing at the figurehead of a green-painted dolphin. Captain Paldeo is standing here, wielding a leather-hilted broadsword in his right hand.
You are upon a ship. Murky fog obscures the night.
Cardinal Exits:
Other: up (steep)

The ship floats smoothly upon calm waves, cloaked in an ominous haze of fog.

Forging through the deep fog, Maha climbs down from the way up.

Maha can't manage to climb well, and tumbles down.

Maha can't manage to climb well, and tumbles down.

Maha manages to stop her fall.

Forging through the deep fog, Karima Sharaf climbs down from the way up.

Karima Sharaf climbs down adroitly.

Forging through the deep fog, Yasin climbs down from the way up.

Yasin climbs down adroitly.

Rostam Marzani takes stock of Maha.

Forging through the deep fog, Sitra Tahan climbs down from the way up.

Sitra Tahan climbs down adroitly.

Ziyad takes stock of Maha.

A heavy cloak of fog wraps the slumbering world, muffling the ordinary noises of the night.

Rostam Marzani draws a steel-bladed saber with a knobbed bronze hilt from a long, unadorned leather scabbard with a brass mouth.

Yasin gets out a dashingly curved scimitar from a black leather scribing case in his possession.

Aya sniffs the air and looks skyward...

Karima Sharaf unfurls from the ladder she had been clinging onto for dear life, before quietly positioning herself on the bow, careful.

Forging through the deep fog, Zahir ibn Musa climbs down from the way up.

Zahir ibn Musa can't manage to climb well, and tumbles down.

Zahir ibn Musa can't manage to climb well, and tumbles down.

Zahir ibn Musa manages to stop his fall.

Forging through the deep fog, Esfandiar Shirazi climbs down from the way up.

Esfandiar Shirazi climbs down adroitly.

Forging through the deep fog, Inaya climbs down from the way up.

Inaya climbs down adroitly.

Zahra keeps close to Rostam Marzani and Yasin. Which isn't hard. This forepeak is a rather small space.

Esfandiar Shirazi falls in with Zahir ibn Musa.

Forging through the deep fog, Marwa Baz Taa'ha climbs down from the way up.

Marwa Baz Taa'ha climbs down adroitly.

Ziyad winces while offering Maha and Zahir ibn Musa a sympathetic look. "It's a little steeper than it appears from above." [in Sirdabi with a light, airy tenor]

Inaya falls in with Zahir ibn Musa.

Yasin looks with concern at Zahir ibn Musa, though he says nothing.

Captain Paldeo moves to stand between the figurehead of a green-painted dolphin and the others. "Anyone helpin' the shipwitch," he declares. "Go to the figurehead."

Rostam Marzani shifts to the outer edge of the crowd, trying to move between you and the fog, as though it were an entity.

(Quietly): Through his teeth, though his weight rests on a single foot, Zahir ibn Musa speaks, "I'm fine."

The ship beneath you continues across softly lapping waves.

Sitra Tahan finds her feet again on the deck, soon turning to find Owais's figure in the fog and approaching the figurehead.

Sitra Tahan goes to stand near the figurehead of a green-painted dolphin, joining Owais.

(Quietly): Esfandiar Shirazi glances over at Zahir ibn Musa with a vague frown, looking down toward his other foot.

Owais sits down on the figurehead of a green-painted dolphin, climbing up to perch atop the head, cross-legged.

Aya goes to stand near the figurehead of a green-painted dolphin, joining Owais and Sitra Tahan.

Alun goes to stand near the figurehead of a green-painted dolphin, joining a small crowd.

Karima Sharaf goes to stand beside the figurehead of a green-painted dolphin, joining a small crowd.

Yasin takes a position somewhere alongside Rostam Marzani. He seems to keep looking at the Irzali's stance.

Illi Idir asks, boldly, game and ready: "How do we assist? I would return the favor of your care, Owais."

Yasin falls in with Rostam Marzani.

You fall in with Rostam Marzani.

(Quietly): Karima Sharaf approaches the general area and shifts to approach Maha...

Maha scurries off to the figurehead, looking too embarrassed to answer Ziyad and Karima Sharaf. But she stops at the edge of the crowd, unable to quite fit in with the group.

Rostam Marzani smiles aside to Yasin and you, nodding to them both.

(At the figurehead of a green-painted dolphin): Gazing off into the inscrutable fog, Owais mumbles, "- d-nn-..." [in Sirdabi with a youthfully-cracking tenor]

Ziyad falls in with Rostam Marzani.

Karima Sharaf goes to stand beside the figurehead of a green-painted dolphin, joining a small crowd.

(Quietly): Zahra quietly directs to Yasin and Rostam Marzani -- probably needlessly, "If the fog shifts, I say we just climb down. I'm sure... it will be fine." She assesses the two men with that before then looking back toward the figurehead of a green-painted dolphin and the growing crowd there.

(Quietly): Inaya also looks down toward Zahir ibn Musa's feet, lips pursing for a moment.

Sitra Tahan looks up to Owais, offering the lad an encouraging smile.

Sitra Tahan says to Owais, "I could start with a prayer song, perhaps?"

Illi Idir falls in with Rostam Marzani.

(Quietly): Zahra offers a smile aside to Ziyad, greeting him swiftly with that glance.

Owais clears his throat, looking to Illi Idir, and raises his voice with a stammer. "I-I dunno how you'd call the wind. All I know is how I would. But --" He swallows, topaz eyes awkwardly roving between those present. "How would you? Help me."

Ziyad steps up where Yasin, Rostam Marzani and you has grouped together as well, offering a grim little nod while keeping most of his attention on the figurehead.

Esfandiar Shirazi folds his arms as he looks on, leaning here and there to try to follow what's going on. (Room Pose Set)

Karima Sharaf brightens at the eyes some at Sitra Tahan's suggestion, palms brushing together.

The ship's deck sways as it hits a wave.

Maha stands by the outer edge of the crowd by the figurehead. (Room Pose Set)

Illi Idir looks approvingly to Owais, but--there's not so much room. He goes to join Rostam Marzani, hand on his sword's hilt. "Owais; you're our Shipwitch. I will defend you and trust you. That is what I will do."

(Quietly): Yasin eyes you, then looks down, perhaps appraising the climb. "If the fog shifts, climbing down is a good idea, Sayyida. But I should stay and help, I think."

Maha goes to stand by the figurehead of a green-painted dolphin, joining a small crowd.

Alun leans toward Maha and says softly, "This is where Master Abu would say - I'd call, Wind Wind Where Are You and probably I would have to laugh like it was a very good joke."

The ship glides across smooth waters.

Chilly fog fills the air in a wet dark mass, nearly impenetrable to the sight.

Captain Paldeo stands by, a leather-hilted broadsword held ready and a wary eye on the surrounding fog.

(Hidden) Esfandiar Shirazi watches Marwa Baz Taa'ha with subdued interest occasionlly, out of the corner of his eye.

Clasping her hands before raising her palms up towards the sky, eyes focusing on the shrouded heavens as she raises her voice in song, Sitra Tahan sings in a moderate yet clarion alto,
"Oh, Nirzali, outcast divine,
From heavenly realms, your star shines.
With whispers wild and thunder's roar,
Bring forth the winds, let rain downpour."

(Quietly): Zahra cuts another quick look toward Yasin, looking like she has an opinion on his words. But whatever it is, she doesn't voice it. Instead, she remains silent for now.

Rostam Marzani nods solidly aside to Illi Idir as he gazes out into the mist, laying a steel-bladed saber with a knobbed bronze hilt lightly against his shoulder. He glances between the figurehead of a green-painted dolphin and the fog.

Karima Sharaf asks, after a faltering moment, "What is it we are performing? Are we observing the Ship's Owais? Or, is this..."

Esfandiar Shirazi peers at the way down.

The mist surrounds the ship as it drifts on gently.

Ziyad reaches out to touch a twisting fulgurite pendant.

Zahir ibn Musa folds his arms in front of himself, weight on one foot as he watches Sitra Tahan and Owais in curious silence.

Inaya stands back, one hand resting on the sheathed weapon at her side as she watches. (Room Pose Set)

Aya listens to the chat, her gaze shifting towards Owais to wait to follow his prompt, hands clasping before her.

(At the figurehead of a green-painted dolphin): Owais looks to Karima Sharaf. "You'r- -n Im-m, -in't y-?" he wonders in a low and solemn tone. "G-nn- -sk th- -n- G-d f-r h-lp?"

(At the figurehead of a green-painted dolphin): "I wo-ld f--l th- wind -nd f--l th- wind in -o- -nd l-t it c-ll to th- spirits," Maha speaks, ever-so-softly, in answer to Owais's question, "Or do wh-t -o- f--l in -o-r h--rt to do." But she quiets for the prayer, respectfully as her lips mouth their own, silently.

Voice cast out over the mist as she sways lightly, almost reed-like in her spot, Sitra Tahan sings in a moderate yet clarion alto,
"Your presence felt, amidst cascading shades.
With swirling mists and tempest's might,
Guide our journey through the darkest night."

(Quietly): Yasin returns your look, but then seems distracted as the singing begins. His eyes flit about, looking between the crowd, those performing a ritual, and the fog.

Rostam Marzani moves his lips silently as he stares out at the fog, looking every-so-often toward the figurehead of a green-painted dolphin as Sitra Tahan sings.

Karima Sharaf falls quiet at the sound of song, eyes drifting shut as she clings to its melody, before looking to Owais, nodding gently as she observes Sitra Tahan.

(At the figurehead of a green-painted dolphin): Owais looks towards Sitra Tahan, then glances off into the fog and swallows in silence. There's a quick look to Maha, and a grateful nod. He takes a deep breath and closes his eyes.

(Quietly): Zahra's aurelian-eyed attention fixates on Sitra Tahan while she watches in silence.

Karima Sharaf taps a small, polished prayer stone.
, almost without thinkinga small, polished prayer stone produces a pleasant plinking sound.

Eyes drifting closed now as her songs continues, as she seems to focus on something beyond herself, Sitra Tahan sings in a moderate yet clarion alto,
"Oh, goddess of the forsaken,
Grant us strength, our faith unshaken.
In your sight, we find our way,
Through stormy skies, we shall not stray."

The ship tranquilly glides on.

Aya makes small gestures of her hand, as if gesturing the wind to come from aft to bow of along the length of the ship, eyes closing as she listens to singing chant.

Alun closes his eyes briefly as Sitra Tahan sings.

Voice rising higher, as it seems she has reached the end of her prayer, her hands drifting back down to press together as she lets the last word escape, Sitra Tahan sings in a moderate yet clarion alto,
"Nirzali, hear our plea,
From lands forgotten, set us free.
With gusts and gales, our spirits soar,
Rain your boons upon us, we implore."

The ship's deck sways as it hits a wave.

Ziyad keeps a firm grip on a twisting fulgurite pendant with his left hand while watching the group on the figurehead with an intense gaze.

Out of Character: Owais rolled resonance and communion at legendary difficulty and the result was a fail.

(Hidden) Esfandiar Shirazi takes in abrupt breath of air as the wave jostles the ship.

(Quietly): Yasin nervously taps his thumb against the hilt of a dashingly curved scimitar with an unpracticed grip, producing no sound, but seemingly in time with the song.

(At the figurehead of a green-painted dolphin): Maha grips a small obsidian mirror again, rubbing it with her thumb as she lets the moment wash over her, looking borderline in a trance.

You shift closer to Yasin.

Maha reaches out to touch a small obsidian mirror.

Out of Character: Maha rolled resonance and communion at legendary difficulty and the result was a fail.

Yasin shifts his grip and brandishes a dashingly curved scimitar in his fist.

Fog floats past as the ship continues across softly lapping waves.

Karima Sharaf exhales quietly as the song comes to a close, eyes holding fond regard of Sitra Tahan as she concludes.

(Quietly): Zahra flicks a quick glance toward Yasin in a sidelong assessment before she simply drifts in closer to the shorter Razmani. One of her hands reaches out to try to alight upon his upper back, just to rest there, while the ritual continues.

Karima Sharaf supplies to those nearby, "Perhaps an attempt at...our voices, drawing out the one note, and...trying to harmonize, yes? Not needing to know of music, only what sounds good."

(Quietly): After a moment, Yasin stops his thumb-tapping, sparing a helmeted glance behind his shoulder. He then looks back to the fog.

Sitra Tahan listens to Karima Sharaf after she has fallen silent herself, a glance cast up at Owais in search of further input.

Rostam Marzani glances aside at Yasin, reaching over to touch his shoulder lightly with his free hand.

The mist surrounds the ship as it flows gently across tranquil waters.

Karima Sharaf gestures to Rostam Marzani vaguely. "He knows what I speak of. The humming, the tuning into the song of others."

(At the figurehead of a green-painted dolphin): Aya shifts closer to Aya.

(At the figurehead of a green-painted dolphin): Owais squeezes his eyes tightly and huffs out a quiet breath. "Th- wind's so f-r -w-- from h-r-," he mumbles feebly. "I c-n h-rdl- -v-n h--r it..." His gaze goes towards Karima Sharaf, a glint of uncertain hope ticking through those eyes.

Alun cants his head at Aya.

Rostam Marzani glances over his shoulder, nods, and begins to hum. It's a deep, surprisingly loud noise.

Chiming in, Sitra Tahan says, "Let us try it, then, maybe it shall help with Owais' focus."

Chilly fog fills the air in a wet dark mass, nearly impenetrable to the sight.

The ship drifts on peacefully.

Karima Sharaf chooses her own pitch, tuning and refining it until it sounds pleasant in accordance with Rostam Marzani's first, inspired by the melody led by Sitra Tahan.

Aya joins in with the humming that Rostam Marzani begins humming, a soft humm from her lips joining the deep noise.

Out of Character: Karima Sharaf rolled resonance and communion at legendary difficulty and the result was a fail.

(At the figurehead of a green-painted dolphin): "Then we must let it know we're here," Maha answers to Owais, though in agreement with Karima Sharaf. She nods once at this, taking in a deep breath and letting it out a few times to warm her lungs. Then, she tries to join the note.

Owais takes a breath and tries to hum along with the others.

Zahra lingers in silence for a time longer before she joins in with the humming, letting her own voice slip into the growing harmonic.

Captain Paldeo hums in a syrupy bass.

Humming in a warbling tone, Alun does not particularly add to the musicality of the situation.

Aya hums softly in a smooth soprano.

Ziyad bows his head and his eyes half-close as he adds his own humming to the mix, his voice unrefined, but carrying the strength of his sincerity.

Yasin shifts his position slightly to eye Rostam Marzani and Karima Sharaf, and then, turning back to face the way he was originally, and waits a long moment before shrugging his shoulders and beginning to hum. A low bass-baritone joins the sounds atop the foredeck.

Karima Sharaf keeps her volume aligned with those near her, not louder nor softer, in the attempts of making the sound as succinct and unifying as possible.

The ship continues across softly lapping waves, the scent of the brine thick in the surrounding fog.

Rostam Marzani keeps humming, breathing in through his nose and exhaling the steady buzz, trying to provide a sort of bassline for the various notes that have joined the Song.

Illi Idir has a decently pleasant, trained voice. He joins in, standing beside Rostam Marzani.

Esfandiar Shirazi just kind of vaguely grimaces, as if at the very idea of his own voice lifted in song, and remains silent.

Marwa Baz Taa'ha frowns a little, then licks her lips and begins to hum in a low, surprisingly stable contralto, adding to the choir.

Zahir ibn Musa looks around sourly for a moment, making first a decidedly non-musical hum, before joining with the others, though only marginally more musically.

In the monotone of her note, the words tepid, Karima Sharaf sings in a weathered alto,
"O, Dreamer of All Dreams, lend us your ear. Your people call to you, and we listen with open hearts."

Karima Sharaf offers the simple statement before returning to her pitch, though her beady eyes seem fixed on the fog.

Voicing his noise out into the fog, Rostam Marzani sings in a low-toned baritone,
"O, Dreamer of All Dreams..."

Aya continues to sway her body, hands continuing to gesturing aft to fore as she hums along, trying to harmonize with the others.

Momentarily caught by surprise, Karima Sharaf says, "The fog, its thickness is vast..."

Esfandiar Shirazi grudgingly tries to make a noise through sealed lips - it is surprisingly high, and it slips as if in oil, and requires some throat clearing to get it under some semblance of control again. But it's there. Sort of.

(Quietly): Inaya stands silent, watchful, in the growing chorus.

Fog floats past as the ship tranquilly glides on.

Out of Character: Esfandiar Shirazi rolled voice at easy difficulty and the result was a pass.

(Quietly): Marwa Baz Taa'ha occasionally pauses for a breath of air before resuming her hum, nostrils flaring.

Sitra Tahan raises her voice once more, joining it to the others' pitch.

(At the figurehead of a green-painted dolphin): Owais lowers his gaze to the chipped green paint on the figurehead, and picks at a little flake of it. His humming falters and stops, then he swallows and directs a squinty-eyed stare into the surrounding fog.

Owais hums in a youthfully-cracking tenor.

Yasin does not join in on the singing, though he maintains his hum. There's a surprising consistency to the single note, with only occasional pauses for breath.

Some subtle change seems to come over the thick fog that shrouds the land, an uneasy sense of something else being in the dense mass with you.

Karima Sharaf looks between Sitra Tahan and Owais, her own note stuck in her throat as she similarly watches the fog, almost expectant.

Esfandiar Shirazi stops humming, nostrils flaring. His eyes dart about in the fog.

The crash of a wave sends a spray of water over the ship's edge while it tranquilly glides on.

Karima Sharaf asks of Owais, "Is this of any aid? Does it cloud your judgement..." She trails off, shoulders tensing.

Captain Paldeo lifts a leather-hilted broadsword to one shoulder, tense as the tendrils of mist creep around the group on the forepeak.

Maha continues to hum, perhaps with even more resolve at the shift in the fog.

The fog whirls oddly as if unsettled by a breeze, despite the profound stillness of the night.

"The weather turns," Esfandiar Shirazi calls simply, his hard eyes shifting to squint into the fog.

His lips twitching into a sudden smile, Rostam Marzani grips a steel-bladed saber with a knobbed bronze hilt and brings it down to a middle guard.

Captain Paldeo presses his mouth into a flat line, still humming.

Karima Sharaf resolves to continue her hum, weaponless, though it is mildly uncertain.

Losing none of its impenetrable opacity, the fog attenuates into a spectral mist that creeps in swirling silence through the night.

The ship beneath you floats smoothly upon calm waves.

Ziyad looks up at the sky.

Marwa Baz Taa'ha turns to looks at Esfandiar Shirazi at his words, dropping out of the song for a few moments. "But--" [in Sirdabi with a low and measured contralto]

Zahir ibn Musa stops humming, suchs in a sharp breath, looks over at Esfandiar Shirazi.

(Quietly): Yasin doesn't stop humming, but he does look around briefly, eyes temporarily widened toward you as the fog shifts.

Sitra Tahan frowns as she watches the mist, turning to look back towards the others behind her.

Esfandiar Shirazi peers suspiciously into the mist, looking ready to spring. (Room Pose Set)

(At the figurehead of a green-painted dolphin): Alun takes a subtle step closer to Maha, for no discernable reason.
You're not sure anyone else notices.

Ziyad continues to hum, but his eyes lose their half-hooded gaze as he looks around the creeping mist, and he reaches for a mahogany suede mizuda.

Ziyad gets out a sea-sanded hunk of driftwood from a mahogany suede mizuda in his possession.

Brusquely, Zahir ibn Musa says, "Another time."

Ziyad shifts his grip and brandishes a sea-sanded hunk of driftwood in his fist.

Esfandiar Shirazi draws an etched steel jambiya with a curled bronze hilt from a curved embroidered-leather sheath.

Rostam Marzani hums more deeply now, a steel-bladed saber with a knobbed bronze hilt readied.

Rostam Marzani peers about.

Illi Idir draws an aged, sleek and slender sword from a dark leather weaponbelt.

Aya scrunches her nose in deep concentration as reaches out towards the figurehead itself, "Hear the wind, Green Dolphin, call it to you. It is out there."

Illi Idir produces his sword and settles into a careful stance, making himself as small a target as possible.

Esfandiar Shirazi slides an etched steel jambiya with a curled bronze hilt from its sheath under his arm, cloaked by a well-worn, camel-hair-trimmed riding coat of maroon wool.

Illi Idir hunches slightly.

(Quietly): Zahra keeps her hand resting on Yasin's back for the moment, meeting his gaze.

Marwa Baz Taa'ha watches the others for a few moments, then follows their lead. She draws a jambiya from its sheath, then redoubles her contribution to the song.

Marwa Baz Taa'ha hums in a low and measured contralto.

Rostam Marzani hums in a low-toned baritone.

Ziyad hums in a light, airy tenor.

Marwa Baz Taa'ha draws a bronze-handled jambiya from a curved embroidered-leather sheath.

Karima Sharaf hums in a weathered alto.

Karima Sharaf taps a small, polished prayer stone.
A small, polished prayer stone releases a pleasant plinking sound.

Owais hums in a youthfully-cracking tenor.

Captain Paldeo hums in a syrupy bass.

Aya hums intently in a smooth soprano.

Sitra Tahan hums in a moderate yet clarion alto.

Alun hums in a hesitant tenor.

(Quietly): Marwa Baz Taa'ha widens her stand just a touch, sleeves shaken out of the way of her hands.

(At the figurehead of a green-painted dolphin): Owais looks to Aya, then back down at the figurehead of a green-painted dolphin. "C'mon," he half-whispers. "C'mon, wind."

(Quietly): Yasin holds the look a beat, then nods, before turning back toward the fog. After a brief breath, he continues his hum.

Inaya lifts one hand to cross to the opposite wrist, closing her eyes for a moment. (Touch)

Esfandiar Shirazi suggests to Owais with a certain tension in his voice, though he speaks with ostensible aplomb: "IF you're going to try again, now would be the time, no?" But peer pressure seems to get the better of him and he emits a strange, awkward, nasal tone that no one would ask to hear under any other circumstances.

Zahir ibn Musa breathes shallowly, worry clear on his features. He looks back at Inaya.

Rostam Marzani peers up.

The crash of a wave sends a spray of water over the ship's edge while it moves across serene waves.

Monotoned, Karima Sharaf sings in a weathered alto,
"By the Song of the One, Dreamer of all Dreams,."

Monotoned, Karima Sharaf sings in a weathered alto,
"Breaker of bondage, master supreme..."

Zahir ibn Musa sets his jaw, shakes his head, and thrusts a hand into a fine suede bookbag.

Echoing softly, joining in along with Karima Sharaf, Rostam Marzani sings in a low-toned baritone,
"Master supreme..."

Maha continues to hold the note after catching their breath.

Zahir ibn Musa gets out a small, polished prayer stone from a fine suede bookbag in his possession.

An eerie mist creeps through the night, chilling everything it touches.

The mist coalesces... and a foggy strange beast emerges from those ominous depths.

Terrible suspense fills the air as a foggy strange beast searches the surroundings with a roving stare.

A foggy strange beast roars.

(Quietly): Yasin stops humming.

(Quietly): Inaya looks back to Zahir ibn Musa. She says nothing.

Esfandiar Shirazi shifts aggressively towards a foggy strange beast.

Esfandiar Shirazi stab with an etched steel jambiya with a curled bronze hilt towards a foggy strange beast's head.

The stab slams in with a tremendous blow upon a foggy strange beast's head. *PEW!*
Within a foggy strange beast's head, a a tremendous gap appears.

A foggy strange beast challenges Yasin with a seething rasp!

Yasin draws a dashingly curved scimitar through the air in a slash towards a foggy strange beast's arms.

The slash only grazes past.
Within a foggy strange beast's legs, a a splitting rent appears.

Captain Paldeo shifts aggressively towards a foggy strange beast.

Captain Paldeo draws a leather-hilted broadsword through the air in a slash towards a foggy strange beast's legs.

The slash cuts through thin air.

Illi Idir shifts aggressively towards a foggy strange beast.

Illi Idir draws an aged, sleek and slender sword through the air in a slash towards a foggy strange beast's back.

The slash lands a tremendous cut upon a foggy strange beast's back. *CLASH!*
Within a foggy strange beast's back, a a great void appears.

A foggy strange beast almost collapses, but stays poised through sheer force of will.

Rostam Marzani tenses squarely.

Ziyad shifts aggressively towards a foggy strange beast.

Ziyad whacks at a foggy strange beast's head with a sea-sanded hunk of driftwood.

The whack shears past into thin air.

Inaya draws a battered scimitar from a broad, carved leather sheath.

Rostam Marzani shifts aggressively towards a foggy strange beast.

Rostam Marzani rushes forward and slashes at a foggy strange beast.

The slash lands a earth-shattering cut upon a foggy strange beast's head. *ZANG!*
Within a foggy strange beast's head, a a great void appears.

A foggy strange beast wavers for a second and then collapses to the ground.

Inaya shifts her fist and brandishes a battered scimitar in her fist.

Inaya shifts aggressively towards a foggy strange beast.

Inaya draws a battered scimitar through the air in a slash towards a foggy strange beast's eyes.

The slash cuts in tremendously upon a foggy strange beast's eyes. *CLASH!*
Within a foggy strange beast's eyes, a a great void appears.

A foggy strange beast collapses.

Owais scrambles backward, nearly falling from the figurehead of a green-painted dolphin.

Ready and waiting, Esfandiar Shirazi lunges toward a foggy strange beast when he sees it, teeth bared like a rat. He stabs hard with an etched steel jambiya with a curled bronze hilt.

Karima Sharaf gawks at the sight of the beast for just a moment, before survival instinct sets in and she leaps backwards and away.

Karima Sharaf steps away from the figurehead of a green-painted dolphin, leaving.

The crash of a wave sends a spray of water over the ship's edge while it floats smoothly upon calm waves.

Marwa Baz Taa'ha leans forward subtly.

Alun moves to steady Owais.

Rostam Marzani says, "Owais! Call the wind, Owais!"

Sitra Tahan narrows her eyes at a foggy strange beast, though she only raises her voice louder and moved slightly closer to Owais.

Wordless, Inaya just draws a battered scimitar and lunges.

Ziyad grimly brandishes a sea-sanded hunk of driftwood as he attempts to help occupy a foggy strange beast's attention.

Marwa Baz Taa'ha pales, initially stepping back from the monster.

Esfandiar Shirazi adds to Rostam Marzani's call, yelling at Owais, "Now, fool!" as he takes another stab at a foggy strange beast.

Frantically begging of the air, Owais exclaims, "Wind! Wind! Please!"

Marwa Baz Taa'ha shifts her fist and brandishes a bronze-handled jambiya in her fist.

Zahir ibn Musa joins the hum, or, takes it up himself as the case may be closing his fist around a small, polished prayer stone, eyes closed, shoulders tensed.

Zahra drew back from Yasin when the fighting began; now her attention is all for Owais as she watches the young sailor.

Illi Idir cries out, announcing his strike with a joyous sound. "Hah! Let us dance, like the Wind! Call out ourselves!"

(At the figurehead of a green-painted dolphin): Maha dives for Owais to try to take hold and steady, too, and provide support, "You can do it, Owais. Feel it. Reach for it..."

Aya nods to Owais, "Hear the wind, Owais, Call it to us!"

Ziyad says to Owais, "Do not fear, Sayyid Owais! We're all here with you!"

Karima Sharaf closes her eyes in some fervent prayer, her own hum crackling with nervousness but resolve in the face of Owais's desperation.

The ship flows gently across tranquil waters.

Despite his words, Rostam Marzani is grinning, teeth bared as he twirls a steel-bladed saber with a knobbed bronze hilt.

Interrupting her humming briefly, Sitra Tahan says to Owais, "It is within you, the ability, it always has been."

Marwa Baz Taa'ha shouts to Owais, "We must do it now! Please, Shipwitch!"

Owais takes a breath, and then another. He starts to hyperventilate. Gaze darting back and forth between those speaking to him, he gasps, "Wind..."

Zahir ibn Musa reaches out to touch a weighty lapis cabochon on a silver chain.

Out of Character: Owais rolled resonance and communion at legendary difficulty and the result was a fail.

Yasin is silent at the appearance of the a foggy strange beast, but he maintains his resolve, doing his best to engage the ghastly thing in front of him.

Zahra tries to pick her way through the crowd and closer to Owais when she spots something or another about his person. "Owais," she bids to him, softly, reaching out a hand to the young man -- perhaps for comfort. (Move - near the figurehead of a green-painted dolphin -)

Out of Character: Karima Sharaf rolled resonance and communion at legendary difficulty and the result was a fail.

A foggy strange beast struggles to rise, but cannot.

A foggy strange beast goes limp.

With a distracted glance over his shoulder at Owais, even as he swats at a foggy strange beast with an etched steel jambiya with a curled bronze hilt, Esfandiar Shirazi scowls. He levels an annoyed glance your way, grousing, "Will you do something, woman?" But she already is.

Rostam Marzani shouts to Owais as he swings again.

The slash strikes earth-shatteringly true upon a foggy strange beast's legs. *CLASH!*
Within a foggy strange beast's legs, a a great void appears.

A foggy strange beast remains limp.

A foggy strange beast goes slack and lifeless.

A foggy strange beast expires.

Disintegrating in a swirl of ethereal dust, a foggy strange beast is gone.

Rostam Marzani tries to stop fighting.

Yasin tries to stop fighting.

Owais tries to stop fighting.

Captain Paldeo tries to stop fighting.

Ziyad tries to stop fighting.

Esfandiar Shirazi tries to stop fighting.

Karima Sharaf watches the beast disintegrate, eyes wide with wonder and fear.

Inaya tries to stop fighting.

Captain Paldeo lowers a leather-hilted broadsword, giving Owais a long look. There's a slight headshake and a low 'tch' that emerges from the captain, as he reaches up to adjust a jaunty sharkskin captain's hat.

Eerie mist hazes around the hull as the ship continues across softly lapping waves.

Zahra is, indeed, already doing something. But she doesn't seem to hear Esfandiar Shirazi's call at any rate. The entirety of her attention is fixed upon Owais while she stands there with her hand held out to him.

The stars twinkle brightly in the night sky.
It is night, the hour of ashes.

Rostam Marzani grins ferociously, looking around as if seeking the next beast. He tilts his head back, staring up at the ladder. After a few beats, looking at Esfandiar Shirazi, he says "Thanks for the help," somewhat ambiguously.

An eerie mist creeps through the night, chilling everything it touches.

A roar in an inhuman howl reverberates through the air from the way down.

Yasin adjusts the grip of a dashingly curved scimitar as the beast disintegrates, looking around at the crowd. He nods at something or other, then looks back to the fog.

Alun looks up at the sky.

(At the general area): Marwa Baz Taa'ha stares at the beast while it disintegrates, frozen in place for a long time.

Yasin peers at the way down.

Yasin peers up.

Rostam Marzani hunches slightly.

Karima Sharaf peers at the way down.

Rostam Marzani peers at the way down.

Esfandiar Shirazi has not relaxed much. His pale gold eyes continue searching the mist. At Rostam Marzani's thanks, his brow furrows quizzically.

Ziyad scans the area carefully.

Alun murmurs, gesturing skyward, "It's cleared up."

(At the figurehead of a green-painted dolphin): Owais shuts his eyes tightly, trying to draw a deeper breath, and grips onto the figurehead of a green-painted dolphin. He turns his head towards you and forces both eyes open after a minute. "I can't," he half-whispers helplessly.

The mist surrounds the ship as it drifts on gently.

Aya grips the figurehead tighter as well, "Everyone, grab hold of the figurehead, we will try together!"

Esfandiar Shirazi rolls his eyes at the goings-on by the figurehead, letting out an abrupt puff of air. "We will not have our wind, it seems."

(At the figurehead of a green-painted dolphin): "Shhh," Zahra softly shushes Owais, molten eyes riveted upon him. "You can, Owais. I know you can," she lowly reassures. "Do not listen to them. Just look at me."

Ziyad releases a slow breath as his grip on a sea-sanded hunk of driftwood loosens.

Out of Character: Sitra Tahan rolled resonance and communion at legendary difficulty and the result was a fail.

The ship floats peacefully onward, the scent of the brine thick in the surrounding fog.

(At the figurehead of a green-painted dolphin): "Remember that time in Al-Sabiyyah," Zahra quietly reminds Owais. "When you were being attacked, no? And the wind came to you. It saved you, then."

(At the general area): "Quiet." Yasin hisses out, mostly all breath and no words, in the general direction of Esfandiar Shirazi.

Alun joins Sitra Tahan at the figurehead, looking upward.

(At the general area): Marwa Baz Taa'ha turns a sharp gaze to Esfandiar Shirazi at his comment.

(At the figurehead of a green-painted dolphin): "Don't listen to them, Owais," Maha speaks softly, still trembling, "It's just words. Just breathe. Feel the wind inside. That's where the wind will meet you. We will do it together, okay?" Then she hears you and nods, "Yes. Remember the time, as Sayyida al-Dhahab says."

"Perhaps," Karima Sharaf offers. "It is simply not our time."

Out of Character: Alun rolled resonance and communion at legendary difficulty and the result was a fail.

Esfandiar Shirazi turns his comfortable grip a bit on an etched steel jambiya with a curled bronze hilt, eyes narrowing slightly as they fall on Yasin, but it is a passing expression. Mostly he is interested in the mist.

Rostam Marzani smiles at Esfandiar Shirazi as he sees him glance at Yasin, the expression open and strangely amiable, his eyes crinkling a bit.

Out of Character: Zahir ibn Musa rolled resonance and communion at legendary difficulty and the result was a fail.

Sitra Tahan furrows her brows faintly, but eventually nods to Karima Sharaf, "We may need to regroup and try again at a later time."

(At the figurehead of a green-painted dolphin): Owais lowers his head at your words. "Aye," he mutters, the syllable barely a shiver leaving him. Then he manages to draw a deeper breath. "I remember."

Zahir ibn Musa opens his eyes and looks over at Sitra Tahan.

Karima Sharaf looks over to Owais, expression neutral as she inclines her head. "Your work is not an easy one. These things are difficult to will. How is it you do it?"

(At the figurehead of a green-painted dolphin): "I know you can do this, Owais," Zahra murmurs back to Owais, not relenting in her soft encouragement. "I can see it in you -- your potential. I know you can do anything."

"Your good humor annoys me, cousin," Esfandiar Shirazi tells Rostam Marzani frankly, though his gaze is still searching for danger. This seems not a particularly critical review, all things considered.

The ship beneath you glides across smooth waters.

An eerie mist creeps through the night, chilling everything it touches.

(At the general area): Marwa Baz Taa'ha closes her eyes for a few moments, frowning. She seems to whisper something to herself under her breath before opening her eyes to the fog.

His smile widening a bit, Rostam Marzani just considers Esfandiar Shirazi, then looks back into the mist.

Zahir ibn Musa looks over at Inaya. "We're alive," he observes, quietly.

(At the figurehead of a green-painted dolphin): Aya dips her head to Owais, "You can do this Owais."

Out of Character: Maha rolled resonance and communion at legendary difficulty and the result was a fail.

(At the figurehead of a green-painted dolphin): "Close your eyes, clear your thoughts, forget all else," Zahra softly bids to Owais. "Forget this place. Just... listen. And hear. Speak to the wind. It will hear you. It will come."

(At the figurehead of a green-painted dolphin): Owais looks to Karima Sharaf. "The wind did it," he explains, with a bewilderment and sorrow writ across his blotched features. "Not me..." He swallows, and turns a slow, jittery glance out upon the misty fog. "It's -- c-comin', again..."

"Stay away from me, then," Illi Idir warns Esfandiar Shirazi with a joyous laugh as he looks between the pair, then back to the distant fog.

(At the general area): Inaya nods to Zahir ibn Musa, a battered scimitar held down at her side, now, as un-threatening as can be managed in the tight quarters. "So we are," she whispers. "Y-t."

Speaking up hesitantly, Ziyad says, "Touching upon the divine can't be easy and the mist creature interrupted. But perhaps if all of us try lending our faith in harmony again..."

Eerie mist hazes around the hull as the ship continues across softly lapping waves.

(At the general area): Yasin spares a glance away from the mists, briefly, to watch the goings-on at the figurehead of a green-painted dolphin with an intense gaze. But he doesn't keep it locked there, eyes searching the fog instead.

"Hmph," Esfandiar Shirazi mutters, cutting a sidelong glance at Illi Idir with a quizzical, distracted expression. "Hmm?"

Karima Sharaf considers Owais's words and their gravity. "Again, you said?"

(At the general area): Yasin then looks to Ziyad, and nods. He speaks quietly, stating, "-o- -r- right, S---id Zi--d. W- sho-ld h-m -g-in. Giv- Ow-is ... o-r s-pport." And with that, without any further discussion, humming is exactly what the Razmani does.

Raising his voice, Owais says, "The mist!"

The crash of a wave sends a spray of water over the ship's edge while it continues across softly lapping waves.

Yasin hums in commanding bass-baritone.

Owais straightens to stand on the figurehead of a green-painted dolphin.

Owais leans upward into the mist, balanced atop the dolphin's head, and stares off into the malicious, seething darkness that coils around the ship.

Karima Sharaf turns to Ziyad, readying to voice her agreement, before her plump face turns quick to Owais's call, chest puffing up with apprehension. Spurred by the others, her own hum begins soon after.

Zahir ibn Musa peers over at Owais, brow furrowing.

(At the figurehead of a green-painted dolphin): Zahra breathes out sharply while she watches Owais.
You're not sure whether anyone notices you.

Sitra Tahan watches Owais intentionally, brows knitting as she rests against the figurehead of a green-painted dolphin.

Karima Sharaf extends to Sitra Tahan, "Perhaps your God will hear your call, in kind. You sing with a moving earnest."

Rostam Marzani turns to look up at Owais, then begins to hum, his smile slipping a bit.

"As you like, I'm sure," Esfandiar Shirazi offers Aya agreeably enough, though it's evident from the face he's making that he doesn't follow.

Rostam Marzani peers up.

Ziyad watches Owais closely as he resumes his own humming, expression intent and full of concentration.

Out of Character: Owais rolled will at legendary difficulty and the result was a fail.

Owais drops to a crouch beside the figurehead of a green-painted dolphin, abruptly.

Marwa Baz Taa'ha watches Owais and all those gathered by the figurehead. Then she adds to the song, voice stronger this time, and if a little unpolished, at least solid in volume.

Marwa Baz Taa'ha hums in a low and measured contralto.

Sitra Tahan shifts a look aside to Karima Sharaf, nodding after a moment, "I feel her distance, but she is still watching. I will see if I cannot reach her through this mist."

Illi Idir tells Esfandiar Shirazi, "If Rostam's good humor annoys you, mine just might kill you," in easy jest. "Much less the both of us side-by-side." While there's a touch of forced nature to his good humor, it's mostly sincere. Only partly keeping up appearances.

Karima Sharaf hums in a weathered alto.

Rostam Marzani goes to move near the figurehead of a green-painted dolphin, joining a small crowd.

Yasin turns from the fog to watch Owais. He doesn't drop his hum, though. Not yet, even as the shipwitch drops to his crouch.

The ship beneath you drifts on gently.

An eerie mist creeps through the night, chilling everything it touches.

You shift closer to Owais.

There's a subtle sense of tension as you move close.

Captain Paldeo watches Owais, opening his mouth -- and then shuts it. He cuts his eyes to the ladder. "Let's get back inside," he orders, glancing around the crowd. "Back inside!"

Rostam Marzani paces through the crowd, joining Owais and leaning down to touch his shoulder. He says, softly, but probably audible to the others, "It's alright, son."

Sitra Tahan raises her voice once more, humming a wordless melody and lifting her hands once more towards the misty night sky, as if trying to break through it.

Rostam Marzani peers about.

Rostam Marzani peers up.

Inaya scans up.

(At the figurehead of a green-painted dolphin): When Owais drops down to his crouch, Zahra tries to draw in closer toward him for the purposes of attempting to touch his hand if he would allow it. She says nothing.

Alun observes Captain Paldeo briefly and bobs his head.

(At the figurehead of a green-painted dolphin): Owais keeps his head bowed, even with Rostam Marzani's touch to his shoulder.

Esfandiar Shirazi snorts, seeming only now to fully focus on Aya - though his eyes want to search the mist, they really do, constantly - and when he takes in the reply he laughs aloud. "I see." He cuts his narrowing eyes toward Rostam Marzani and back to the other man in a flicker. "Well. Let us say... you are hardly the same man, hmm?"

Esfandiar Shirazi definitely said that to Illi Idir though.

Ziyad reaches out to touch a twisting fulgurite pendant.

The crash of a wave sends a spray of water over the ship's edge while it continues across softly lapping waves.

You drop to a crouch beside the figurehead of a green-painted dolphin, lowering herself down alongside Owais.

(Hidden) "It's alright, dear Shipwitch," Zahra whispers aside to Owais.

Marwa Baz Taa'ha flits her gaze to Captain Paldeo, frowning.

Alun peers about.

Karima Sharaf watches Owais, concern briefly crossing features, but lets space for those closest to assist, her hum fading with time.

Rostam Marzani looks at you for a moment, squeezing Owais's shoulder, and says "Help him, if you can, Sayyida?" And then, turning, he raises his voice. "Those of us who are armed, let us go and secure the forecastle, so we can get them inside."

(Hidden) Owais leans closer to you, shaking noticeably at this proximity. "-'- s----," he whispers. "Z----."

You are no longer following Rostam Marzani.

(At the general area): Inaya ticks her head upward and begins climbing. "Com-," she whispers aside toward Esfandiar Shirazi and Zahir ibn Musa.

Inaya scans up.

Esfandiar Shirazi asks Marwa Baz Taa'ha, with a certain allowance in his otherwise terse tone, looking her over once, "How long should we wait, hmm?"

(At the general area): Yasin looks annoyed about something, but doesn't voice it. He keeps his eyes peering about the fog.

Inaya begins to climb up the ladder.

You shift closer to Owais.

There's a subtle sense of tension as you move close.

Amidst the ominously quiet mist, Inaya climbs up, wielding a battered scimitar in her right hand.

Captain Paldeo nods at Rostam Marzani.

Yasin peers up.

Ziyad scans up.

Captain Paldeo begins to climb up the ladder.

Esfandiar Shirazi looks around and then scampers up the ladder.

Rostam Marzani begins to climb up the ladder.

Amidst the ominously quiet mist, Captain Paldeo climbs up, wielding a leather-hilted broadsword in his right hand.

Illi Idir begins to climb up the ladder.

Esfandiar Shirazi begins to climb up the ladder.

Amidst the ominously quiet mist, Illi Idir climbs up, wielding an aged, sleek and slender sword in his right hand.

Amidst the ominously quiet mist, Rostam Marzani climbs up, wielding a steel-bladed saber with a knobbed bronze hilt in his right hand.

Yasin begins to climb up the ladder.

Ziyad begins to climb up the ladder.

Karima Sharaf asks softly of Yasin. "All's well?"

Amidst the ominously quiet mist, Esfandiar Shirazi climbs up, wielding an etched steel jambiya with a curled bronze hilt in his left hand.

Amidst the ominously quiet mist, Yasin climbs up, wielding a dashingly curved scimitar in his right hand.

Amidst the ominously quiet mist, Ziyad climbs up, wielding a sea-sanded hunk of driftwood in his right hand.

Alun begins to climb up the ladder.

Zahir ibn Musa begins to climb up the ladder.

Karima Sharaf begins to climb up the ladder.

Amidst the ominously quiet mist, Alun climbs up.

(Hidden) "Do not apologize to me," Zahra murmurs back to Owais. "It's alright. I'm so proud of you. You tried so hard. You will get it next time."

The ship moves across serene waves.

Amidst the ominously quiet mist, Zahir ibn Musa climbs up.

Amidst the ominously quiet mist, Karima Sharaf climbs up.

Sitra Tahan peers up.

Marwa Baz Taa'ha hangs back a few moments as others climb upward.

Amidst the ominously quiet mist, Zahir ibn Musa climbs down from the way up.

Zahir ibn Musa climbs down adroitly.

Owais falls in with you.

(Hidden) Maha glances between you and Owais for a few lingering moments before considering the ladder with a frown.

Sitra Tahan peers at the way down.

(Hidden) Owais doesn't seem capable of much more than a miserable twitch of a nod. Or perhaps it's a headshake.

Zahir ibn Musa puts a small, polished prayer stone in a fine suede bookbag.

Marwa Baz Taa'ha looks out into the mist with a seemingly neutral expression, then approaches the figurehead. "What little use it may be, I have a blade should anything... arise," she says gently. "Does anyone need assistance?"

"Let us retreat," Zahra then decides while she holds out a hand to Owais, trying to pull the young man upright. "Back inside for now. Well done everyone."

You straighten to stand beside the figurehead of a green-painted dolphin.

Zahra shoots a look toward Maha and then up.

You peer up...
[The Greenest Dolphin, Forecastle Deck]
You are on [a timeworn naval freighter].
The forecastle deck is accessed by short, tight stairs on either side of the entrance to the forecastle proper. Over the prow of the ship, the figurehead rises above the sea - a dolphin's cackling head, painting in chipped green enamel. While slightly lower than the quarterdeck, this section at the very front of the ship is still at enough of a height over the water for the air to be punishing at times. When the sea wind plows into the sails and drives the ship across the waves, this place is also the furthest downwind location. A rickety wooden frame extends off the side of the ship here, slanting down along the prow.
A large patchwork of sailcloth and scraps has been rigged as an oversized, makeshift jib sail here. A mass of orangey-brown seamoss grows here. (x5) A mass of orangey-brown seamoss is here.
Inaya is standing here, wielding a battered scimitar in her right hand. Captain Paldeo is standing here, wielding a leather-hilted broadsword in his right hand. Illi Idir is standing here, wielding an aged, sleek and slender sword in his right hand. Rostam Marzani is standing here, wielding a steel-bladed saber with a knobbed bronze hilt in his right hand. Esfandiar Shirazi is standing here, wielding an etched steel jambiya with a curled bronze hilt in his left hand. Yasin is standing here, wielding a dashingly curved scimitar in his right hand. Ziyad is standing here, wielding a sea-sanded hunk of driftwood in his right hand. Alun is standing here, holding a ripped white bandage in his left hand.
You are upon a ship. Reaching tendrils of mist creep through the dark of night. The area is speckled lightly with blood.
Cardinal Exits: east to the aft

Sitra Tahan peers up.

Aya exhales softly.

The mist swirls subtly, as if something unseen were passing through it.

Sitra Tahan says, "I don't see any more beasts."

"You up first, if you can, Sayyida," Zahra bids to Maha. "I don't want you left behind."

The ship flows gently across tranquil waters, cloaked in an ominous haze of fog.

Amidst the ominously quiet mist, Yasin climbs down from the way up, wielding a dashingly curved scimitar in his right hand.

Yasin climbs down adroitly.

Zahir ibn Musa tells Yasin, "You've cleared them."

Maha tenses when addressed. But, after a few lingering moments, she nods and moves to the ladder.

Maha begins to climb up the ladder.

Yasin climbs down, looking concerned. Then he climbs back up, seeming temporarily satisfied.

Marwa Baz Taa'ha musters a faint smile for you and the others.

Amidst the ominously quiet mist, Maha climbs up.

Amidst the ominously quiet mist, Maha arrives.

Maha manages to stop her fall.

Yasin begins to climb up the ladder.

Amidst the ominously quiet mist, Yasin climbs up, wielding a dashingly curved scimitar in his right hand.

Aya begins to climb up the ladder.

Amidst the ominously quiet mist, Aya climbs up.

Owais straightens to stand beside the figurehead of a green-painted dolphin, moving along with you.

Sitra Tahan begins to climb up the ladder.

Amidst the ominously quiet mist, Sitra Tahan climbs up.

Zahra frowns a touch, shooting a look back to Maha. "... we might need some rope."

You yell, "WE MIGHT NEED SOME ROPE FOR SAYYIDA MAHA."

Voice cracking, Owais exclaims, "I'll help her up!"

Marwa Baz Taa'ha glances to Maha as she just manages to stop her fall. "Can one of us carry her?" she adds in question behind you.

Owais approaches the general area.

Owais grips Maha firmly in one hand, ready to start dragging.

Amidst the ominously quiet mist, a monstrous mottled creature climbs up from the way down, fixated on its prey.

A monstrous mottled creature climbs up adroitly.

The ship drifts on gently.

A monstrous mottled creature stalks, searching for prey.

Owais exclaims, "Go!"

A monstrous mottled creature challenges Owais with a seething rasp!

A monstrous mottled creature lifts as if listening to unseen whispers in the mist.

You begin to climb up the ladder.

Amidst the ominously quiet mist, you climb up, with a fluid, feline grace.

You climb up adroitly.