The Sailing Sesel

(written by Jacob, relating Sesel's experiences on the Hunt for the Akho, earning Sesel 100 xp per level)

Setting out North along the coast, for even though the islands are just North West of Cothon who in their right minds would sail direct and risk being lost out on the open sea, we made our way swiftly beyond that which we’ve previously travelled. Spirits were high, with a strong wind at our backs making our journey to the Horn. A point of the mainland that weary ships may rest a moment before either making their strike out towards the islands or in, along the coast.

Having made our way here much faster than anticipated we were able to have a moment's rest. Including Rock making us some wonderful stews and prepared foods, as opposed to ship’s rations. It was a good omen, and as we set out the following morning spirits were high.

Our first day out there were sights of pirates some distance out engaged in their activities with another ship. Being the distance we were, and unable to progress quickly enough to provide any actual assistance to those on the other ship we collectively decided to leave the pirate hunting to Captain-General Zaytar, and instead passed by in mourning of the other ship watching the smoke rise to the sky.

As we progressed through the island chain, thankfully unbothered by the pirates, we were able to see something of the strange peoples who live here, the Neurogs. While having reverted to barbarism themselves, the places they inhabit were visible even from the ship, great ruins of ancient structures. The sailors spoke of stories and rumors that some few of these ancient structures had connections to great underground complexes, with defenses the like of which the barbarians could not surpass, and so buried deep underneath some of these may yet lay riches untold. Of course, we had our sights on the Akho, but certainly a thread to keep in mind.

On our fifth day, just before reaching our final resting point before the hunting grounds of the Akho, we were accosted. A slime-ing lump of sea-stuff, the sailors later called a Mu-og, oozed it’s way up onto the deck of the Wind’s Pleasure. Unfortunately, being on the Wandersail I was unable to provide any direct aid. The thing struck a sailor, turning his flesh red and dissolving it near instantly. To the horror of the others he was pulled in and devoured on the spot. With the clever thinking of my fellows on that ship, Avin and Durham, they created a sort of torch-pole that they were able to strike at the amorphous goop. After only a few such encounters with the fire poker it fled back to it’s watery depths.

So, with a much more solemn mood we made our way to the moot-beach on the island of Denya. A small fortification exists here to act as a way station for ships. The fortification presumably was originally intended to keep out the local Denyali. Fortunately for us, at some point along the line the locals decided they liked the visitors, bringing goods and tools they were unable to make. So the captain was able to strike some deal with them and we set up for one last fine meal and fire before we set out to the Akho.

The following morning we adventurers and ship leaders convened to make a hunting plan. Though the topic came up a few times that perhaps this discussion would have been better had in port, where resources were rather more abundant, we made do with what was at hand. We spent the next day cobbling together a sort of raft, using trees of the island traded for our beer. Attaching the branches of those trees to the sides of our two main vessels, slowing us but making our ships much less ship-shaped when seen from below.

Then, with spirits cautiously optimistic and tension high, we set out in search of the Akho. Captain Telman, having done some research on the beast’s hunting patterns, guided us to a straight where most ships befell the beast. Then, late afternoon the Akho struck!

As though a nightmare from childhood, a great surging of water pierced by it’s many tentacles it did rise up. Fortunately for us, the beast fell prey to our superior tactical minds, the surprise of it’s attack being executed on our decoy raft. With our various weapons we did rain death down upon the Akho, striking it with catapult, ballistae, and bow. I, myself, even struck a tentacle so true as to pin it to the wood of the raft. Delaying the beasts ability to flee to deeper waters, and allowing us a few extra moments.

Then, just as we prepared to skewer it with our harpoons it broke free of the raft. Bloodied and wounded it fled like a coward. Down into the deep dark depths, where we could not follow.

Hoping to lure it back out we struck the boughs of the trees from our ships and made our way further along the straight. Late into the evening we came upon a merchant vessel. Not wanting to be out on the water into the night we offered to escore them to the moot-beach in exchange for some of their beer. Having traded ours for our makeshift raft, it would be nice to give the men something to lift spirits after our unsuccessful brush with the Akho.

The merchant ship, though, proved too tempting a target for our quarry. As we made our way back it returned to feast on the presumably defenseless ship. Lucky for them, we were on hand and ready. While it did manage to devour an unfortunate few of the merchant’s sailors we did fell the beast.

Between all three ships we were able to drag the corpse back to the moot-beach, successful in our hunt! And though carving up the beast did reveal some interesting trinkets, we all knew there was greater treasure yet to be had.

The following morning, before the merchant set out, we offered a deal. Stay, share your beer, and wait a day for us, and help us haul our treasure and we will guard your path to Cothon.

Having just been saved from the Akho, they graciously agreed to wait. So we set out back to the straight. Avin volunteered to be our diving-man. Using a strange and magical item Captain Telman had that allowed him to breath underwater Avin was able to investigate several wrecks. After searching much of the day we discovered the wreck we were searching for, the Peregrine Kyni. Between it, and another vessel, we were able to bring back a good haul of treasure to be shared amongst all involved.

With riches in our holds, beer in our bellies, and the wind at our back we did make our way home. With our trip back even less eventful than before, spirits were high as we reached the shores of Cothon, and the wonderful beds of Cothon-Under-Star.