january crew adventure/catchall [OPEN!!]

[partybabysitter]

Who: Xenk Yendar + YOU!
Status: Open!
Where: All around! Some prompts on the Eventide and some just on Nogard, Elah, or Eltrut
What: Crew adventures, Manta board adventures, all sorts!
Warnings: There's a heat prompt in the Manta board this month so like. That's gonna be a thing, calling it now.

Crew Expedition: Exploration (Open to Crew)

[ No point in having a crew if you don't go out and explore! Captain Xenk and the rest of the crew of The Eventide have taken the ship out on an adventure? Where will they go? Will they just hang out on deck, lounge in the captain's quarters or perhaps find some turbulent seas? Either way, everyone is expected to do their part aboard the ship, so Xenk can be found above deck, checking on knots or keeping a steady hand on the wheel.

The wind is definitely blowing his billowing white blouse as he stands there on the deck. He looks amazing, all smiles as he announces their departure. ]

Hoist the anchor and let us take sail! [ Xenk laughs. Oh, he's enjoying this. ] The great unknown of the seas awaits, and the Tidebringers shall rise to meet it!

Crew Expedition: Bounty (Open to Xenk's CR)

[ Of course, the open seas aren't free of danger. With the sun down and the misty coastal fog looming in, the deck of The Eventide takes on an almost ethereal glow. It's quiet, one might say too quiet. Perhaps you're part of the crew, or perhaps you're simply aboard at Xenk's invitation. Either way, the clouds in the sky keep the night dark, and the howling call of a sorrowful, wailing cry rings from afar. But not far enough.

Xenk raises his sword, the blade already singing with its holy glow. He doesn't bother with his full armor on the ship, but that's one thing he always has at the ready. ]

The undead walk among us. Be on your guard.

[ He doesn't just mean him and Astarion, to be clear. ]

The Wolf Among Us (Eltrut)

[ Later in the month, Xenk can be found on Eltrut, surrounded by a litter of wolf pups. Two are presently held in his arms, while two others bite at the legs of his pants and snarl playfully at him. The sight of Xenk Yendar holding several wolf puppies is. Very cute. But he takes his training seriously! Even if he is sporting several shallow cuts and bites on his sleeves and hands. ]

Excellent work, Emberwood, Ashmoon. [ He's named them. And now he's calmly talking to the ones actively biting him. ] Now, cease your biting and sit so that your sisters may have a turn.

She's Sew Lovely (Open to Corsairs)

[ An escort for a trapped seamstress is exactly the kind of job Xenk signs up for with gusto. Moved by her plight and committed to her cause, Xenk is of course aboard the ship that is escorting her to safety in Eltrut. He's ever the noble, straight-laced Paladin than ever, in his half-plate and full kit. But alas, Xenk is only one man, and the ambush that meets their ship is one that has been clearly planned.

The Corsairs strike. A disappointing, but not unheard of conflict between the two factions, though with all of Xenk's friends (and paramours) in the Corsairs, he'd rather not turn his blade upon someone he knows. Whether you're meeting him on the deck or he's chased you down to the seamstress' cabin in question, Xenk arrives with his sword raised, though his words betray a clear desire to solve this without bloodshed. ]

Turn back now, for the good of all. No amount of fine fabric or faerie magic is worth the cost of this woman's life.

The Hanged Man's Gambit (Elah)

[ Xenk feels a particular kind of way about the Paladin behind the earlier months' incidents. That injustice was done is no question. That the Paladins took even longer to track the man down is also true. It should bring him relief to see man charged and the villain brought to justice, but this matter of public sentencing seems... macabre.

Xenk mulls around the voting box. He won't tell anyone to sway their vote or anything like that, but it's clear after he's cast his vote that he feels unhappy about it. Maybe if you're brave (and don't mind an earful) you can ask him for his thoughts! ]

Dost Thou Even Heft? (Elah)

[ Xenk is actually here at the competition to observe -- having quite high Strength himself, he feels it may be somewhat unfair if he joins. But that doesn't mean he can't enjoy observing the festivities, as strong bodies on display are always a gift to nature, or Tyr, or whatever excuse he might have.

The point is, Xenk is observing. And someone may have grabbed him and is trying to get him to participate. Perhaps even... you? ]

Very well, I suppose if I must participate...

[ He starts to strip out of his shirt, revealing that beautiful, smooth skin from underneath. You have to do this right. ]

Who would like to challenge me?

Comments

nsfw - closed to housemates

[partybabysitter]

Nothing Ever Goes Wrong When You Drink Strange Potions

[ Xenk had helped gather some of the ingredients for this healer's potion. And the reading material provided had been a pleasurable read. So either from a sense of duty or simply curiosity toward the man's claims (not that Xenk needs any help with his loins, mind you,) he goes through with this.

In retrospect, he perhaps should have foreseen that the potion would have certain adverse effects. But as he is partially-undead and over 100 years old beside, he was usually happy to offer up his body for science, so long as the science seemed to be for the greater good. And a potion that heals the ails of the needy is surely a good thing to strive for.

All this to say, Xenk obtains a single serving of the heated potion. He isn't so foolish as to try it right there and then, though. If he ends up needing a healer or something of the sort, he'd rather be at home than in the middle of nowhere. He's taken proper precautions, so surely everything would be fine! Or so Xenk thought.

This is how Xenk ends up gripping the doorjamb to his room, splintering the wood. Oh, he should have known better. The potion had gone down so easy, coated his throat with fire but that wasn't too troubling, at first. The heat that follows, the warmth in his core that settles and seeks purchase, now that is the real problem. Suddenly Xenk finds himself feeling warm all over, his skin alight and his mind running in circles, unable to do more than feel. His mouth dries, his pupils dilate, and his knees buckle beneath him, too warm and feverish to hold him up.

Well, if nothing else the noise might get one of his "roommates'" attention, though even that thought makes Xenk groan with desire. At that thought, it all clicks into place. Yes, he very much needs attention. From someone. Anyone. The heat across his skin, coating his insides, has him half hard already and he hasn't even touched himself.

Oh. It's one of those. ]

[ THIS IS IT, THE HEAT PROMPT. Since the sexy time is happening due to a weird potion, this whole thread will carry some notes of dubcon but for the record Xenk is into it, he's just figuring it out in the starter and really horny and desperate for whatever follows. ]

welp

[netherese]

[It has, until now, been a rather uneventful day— Gale had spent the bulk of the previous week converting the room adjacent to his own into a study befitting his needs, and had spent much of the day enjoying the relative peace and quiet of the house as people went about their business, Tara having gone off into town without him and leaving him to his research. The number of books he had collected regarding the known regions, myths and magic of this world was truly staggering when one considered how short a time he'd been here, and he was intent on spending his afternoon enjoying them to the fullest.

Clearly, some power had other plans. Though the house is large enough that one could often go an entire day without crossing paths with the other inhabitants, the sound of wood splintering and the thud of what he thinks is someone hitting the floor is enough to quickly get his attention. He leaves his book open on his desk and quickly nips into the corridor, brow furrowed as he makes his way towards the source.]

Hello?

[He calls out loudly enough to make his voice carry, but with no immediate answer, he quickens his pace until he turns a corner and finds Xenk on his knees, causing him to stop short, alarmed.]

Xenk! Egads, what the devil is going on here? Are you quite alright?

[There's a note of urgency in his voice; Xenk looks anything but alright, he looks positively ill. Gale closes the remaining distance immediately, leaning forward to offer his friend a hand up.]

Here, take my hand— can you stand if I aid you?

hell yeah

[partybabysitter]

[ Xenk's condition grants him certain immunities—a physical ailment would not have affected him so greatly, but a magical one... well. He's not so fortunate. Let this be a lesson not to offer your body up for potion making, Xenk. Well, it might not be such a terrible lesson, but all the same.

Xenk blinks, blearily, the sound of Gale's voice nearly distant over the loud beating of his usually slow heart. Through the blazing flame that has taken him, Xenk watches Gale approach. More than that he can smell him, and those heightened senses of his have never felt more potent than today. Xenk groans once more, his warm skin desperate for contact.

When he takes Gale's hand, his grip is firm. Tight. Even holding his hand does not soothe the burning flame that he feels beneath his skin and to his core, but the promise of relief is enough to grant Xenk some clarity. He settles his other hand over Gale's, leaning up and nearly tugging him closer. Oh, how he longs for more contact. ]

I fear I may require a different manner of aid.

[ He's sweaty. He's breathing hard. His eyes are dark and his breath is erratic. Surely Gale knows of these manner of curses and potions without needing to have the matter further explained to him, right? ]

She's Sew Lovely - Seamstress' Cabin

[la_sombra]

[Sombra didn't care much for impeding on people's freedom and while a job was a job, the pay wasn't good enough to bring some woman kicking and screaming back to confinement. The fabric, on the other hand, seemed worth the trouble.

Magic fabric would likely be worth a fair amount of gold, never mind the flex of having an outfit that incorporated the stuff (would Reaper be willing to work with something so hot?). It was old hat until the Paladins showed up - intent on keeping the woman free. She was fine until she spotted Zenk in the crowd of mostly unfamiliar faces.]

Shit!

[There was little time before the chaos above deck became the chaos below, so Sombra made her way to seamstress' cabin. But then there was that ever-so-heroic voice behind her and Sombra knew she was caught. Hand on pistol, she turns to face the Paladin slowly with a wry smirk on her face.]

Guess it's good I'm not interested in her life.

[partybabysitter]

[ Even staring down the barrel of a gun, Xenk doesn't lower his sword. In fact, he steps closer. (She should totally shoot him.) While he doesn't know the seamstress' exact circumstances, her desire for freedom is enough reason for Xenk to gladly put his life on the line for her cause. ]

Regardless, to this woman, her freedom is her life. If it is your intent to return her to Nogard, then you will only do so after having felled me.

[ Xenk's hand on his blade is ready, raised and aimed at Sombra. ]

What measure is her freedom? The value, in coin, that they have offered you to steal her back?

[la_sombra]

[Xenk steps forward and Sombra aims reflexively at his chest, expression darkening as she lightly steps back. Then he starts in on his speech, about freedom and how she'll have to go through him, blah blah.]

I meant what I said, Xenk. I'm not here for her.

[She considers shooting him anyway if for the momentary distraction of being wounded would cause. But that would be hard to explain away and she is trying to keep on the good side of all her friends. She settles for rolling her eyes.]

It's a lot of coin. You're gonna have more trouble than me soon, so I would suggest you let me go.

bounty

[vermilloci]

[ When Xenk had extended an invitation to fight against undead vampire sirens, she had immediately leaped at the opportunity.

Rem calls her blades into her hand. ] Don't worry about me. [ She reassures him, then gestures towards her ears. Just in case, she's stuffed them both with cotton to help diminish some effect of their song. It won't work completely, but it might give her the extra time she needs to cut more than one down. ]

I'll gladly take them off your hands.

[partybabysitter]

[ Xenk nods at her plan. Thanks to his Oath he's technically resistant to charms -- just not any that target the undead specifically. Still, he's fought his fair share of sirens in the past, these shouldn't be too much trouble. ]

The fog grants them cover. But this cover will be short-lived.

[ Xenk raises his blade skyward, chanting in Celestial until his eyes glow gold and his armor shines with a golden light along his cape -- a Crusader's Mantle. An aura of holy light begins to radiate from him, dissipating the fog surrounding them. The glow reveals one of the undead sirens, the monster shrieking at the bright light. ]

There! [ He points his sword at the monster, then looks back at Rem. ] Stay near me and the light will guide your blade!

[ Or give her 1d4 bonus radiant damage on her attacks, you know. ]

she's sew lovely

[subigito]

[ In Astarion's defense, he hadn't actually known the bounty was a woman. And when Xenk barges in, he doesn't even have his daggers drawn, he's just sort of standing here figuring out what he wants to do.

So imagine his surprise when Xenk is here too, suddenly.

Astarion holds up his hands in surrender. ]

Please refrain from stabbing me hastily. No need to make unfortunate mistakes.

[partybabysitter]

Astarion.

[ Well, this complicates matters quite a bit. Xenk doesn't want to raise his blade against Astarion -- even over another's life, it weighs heavy on his heart to even picture turning his sword on him. He'd already done it once before and that was... completely different.

Xenk lowers his sword, even sets it back in its scabbard. He won't threaten him. Not him. He swore an oath. ]

I would not. Let us resolve this peacefully.

the hanged man's gambit ⚔️

[activatingcombatmode]

[It's Zack approaching the voting box with a pretty somber expression of his own on his face.]

Xenk... Man.

[He looks at the box and then at the big iron doors just ahead. On the other side will be a man who's fate is in the hands of the armada.]

This is all crazy don't you think? Putting something as serious as this to a vote?

[partybabysitter]

[ Xenk nods somberly, eyes cast down from the box, then up to Zack. ]

I agree. It is barbaric to leave a man's sentencing up to a vote. Justice should be served by just laws, not... this.

[ I mean, this is a kind of justice but it sure ain't Xenk's kind. ]

Exploration

[standingonmyneck]

[Daria was usually on the low energy of things. As much as she didn't mind being on the ship with people she liked and might as well travel for profit with them, she was neutral on adventures. Danger? Safety? Honestly the boredom of being on the ground was the safety that reached her brain and being more important. But that meant not supporting her friends, housemates, and crewmates. Besides, she wasn't NOT in the know about working in necessity.

So Daria boarded the ship.

But something was off. She looked tired, exhausted, maybe even a bit...nervous? Man, who could tell with her expression. It was really just deader than deadpan.]

Woo-hoo.

[partybabysitter]

[ Couldn't be Xenk! After so many months aboard the Royal Fortune, working his perfect ass off, Xenk has gained his sea legs and is steady as can be. ]

I am glad that you are able to join us, Daria.

[ He meets her with a full smile, though it falls when he takes in her countenance. ]

Are you well? You seem... tired.

dost thou even heft 💪

[starshower]

[Tifa had been mostly observing for a while, awaiting the right opponent to make themselves known. She's here representing her newly established crew, Avalanche, and had been volunteered to lead the cause as they make their climb through it.

And she thinks that she's found just the right one as he's pulled out from the audience at this particular section of the pier, and at his call—]

I'll do it.

[—Tifa gently shoves her way forward, emerging from behind several much larger men who all stare down at her, confused. For her part, however, she just beams at Xenk and offers him a little wave.]

Long time no see.

[partybabysitter]

[ Xenk smiles to see Tifa appear from among the challengers. Of course he expects she won't be an easy rival, but mostly he's just happy to see her. ]

It has indeed been some time. How have you fared?

[ Like, yeah, they gotta lift, but first how you doing girl? ]

Hanged Man's Gambit

[afflatusexarch]

[ G'raha is... Rather conflicted about all of this himself. As a victim of this Paladin, other Corsairs ( not all, mind you ) might expect him to think a certain way. One that would support the most extreme of sentences. Like dragging the man behind the ship and then allowing him to drown; suffering before death Though some Paladins might also feel the same way, depending on their stance about one of their own that takes things too far.

However, being the cause of someone's death, even if G'raha is one of the wronged party, doesn't sit well with him at all. There's been enough of that already

So he feels compelled to do something about it, not because of being a Corsair. Because he is a person that wants to see true justice being done. Had the stray Paladin truly been a threat, then his opinion might be different. But as it stands, someone might have cast an Invisibility spell upon himself and is attempting to vote. ]

[partybabysitter]

[ Xenk rolled a 17+7=24 INSIGHT CHECK so he certainly senses that something is up here. And with a quick glance, he spots G'raha's vote making itself into the voting box.

Now, Xenk can't know for sure what matter of magic is at play here, and whether or not this spell is being used to mess with the votes. So he does what any proper Paladin would do.

He announces himself loudly. ]

Show yourself! I know you are there.

She's Sew Lovely/Price of Freedom

[yuezun]

[When he had boarded the ship and fought his way down, he had not been aware it was the ship Xenk was currently crewing. He had felt the familiar spiritual presence once he was further inside and followed that rather than attempting to search for his quarry. Surely, if Xenk was aboard, then he was protecting the merchant's goods.

Daqiang had been ready to chastise the man, under the assumption it was Xenk who was misled as to the nature of the cargo he was protecting. However, the accusation as he entered the room had him pause.

With Xenk's sword raised barely a foot from his heart, Daqiang tilted his head and frowned. His eyes went between Xenk and the woman and the space he could sense the magical cloth being stored. The woman also had magic. The same magic that laced the cloth. She must be the source of the enchantments on them.

His eyes going back to Xenk, he lifted a hand to set his fingers at the tip of Xenk's blade and push it lightly to one side.]

This venerable one did not come with the intent to kill anyone this day.

[partybabysitter]

[ Xenk holds the blade steady, unwilling to back down. There's no doubt that the woman's wares were valuable, but no amount of cloth could match the cost of a life, and the freedom to live it. ]

All the same, Moon Supreme, if your intent is to return this woman to her captors, then you may find an enemy in me.

The Wolf Among Us

[cursedwords]

[ Toge wished he was having the same luck. The wolf pups he's been tasked to mind are climbing all over him. ]

Ikura. [ It doesn't matter what he says, they don't really seem to understand him and they can smell Thornprick on him.

Please help, he's about to be swallowed up in cute fluff. ]

[partybabysitter]

[ Xenk laughs, watching as poor Toge struggles with the wolf pups. At least they're too young to cause too much damage! ]

It seems the dogs do not understand your speech, Young Toge. Are there perhaps alternative words you could spare?

[ Xenk watches the pups curiously. ]

Would spells of my own world be of aid? You would not be able to perform them without the proper understanding.

She's Sew Lovely~

[ketheric]

[Word spread quickly of the rich Corsair who put up the quest to retrieve their 'property' though no more specifics were given when the elderly half-elf pressed the man for more information. Simply being met with the same answer, either retrieve the prize in question or do not the choice was yours. Despite the lack of knowledge he was assured payment in full upon the return of his desires, given the large sum of coin and valuables put up how could he not pursue such a bounty?

After having acquired the aid of a rather surly ship and crew who were nefarious for taking on the most risky but well paying jobs available to them, Ketheric assured them fair compensation for their efforts so long as they held up their ends of the bargain. As they board the Paladin vessel that supposedly housed their mark the former general of the Absolute calls out the order for the unruly Corsairs to search the boat. Fanning out to scour the ship in full he himself found a small cabin tucked down below deck, smashing the locked handle out with his newly acquired two-handed war hammer, swiftly booting open said door soon after to reveal a rather peculiar sight. A familiar face sat with a woman who quickly moved to cower behind the other individual; The light bringer of Tyr one Xenk Yendar. A hint of an amused smirk graces the tips of the chosen of Myrkul's lips, glaring the fellow paladin down with a mixed look of determination and annoyance.]

Heh- And so our paths cross once again, Xenk Yendar.

[partybabysitter]

[ Xenk imagined they would find themselves in conflict eventually, but he had rather hoped it would perhaps not be so soon. Fate, it seems, would not spare him the misfortune. Perhaps for all that Tyr has allowed him his recent blessings, Katheric Thorm is here to remind him of his duty. ]

Ketheric Thorm. It seems fate would see us clash.

[ Xenk draws his sword, the Celestial inlay glowing its radiant, hold gold. ]

Leave now. This woman has done you no wrong, and you will not take her.

Dost Thou Even Heft?

[seemagicshit]

I'll do it!

[Given Zhao's usual attire -- loaded with rings and accessories, shades and a wicked looking saber at his side -- you don't even need to wonder if he's a Corsair. But he seems friendly enough for the competition.]

So this is just a straight deadlift competition?