The Storms of Chai

Joe Dever

188

You place the blade of the Kirusami under the sphere and flip it over the gunwale of the ship. It hits the raging waters and explodes, showering you with foaming spray. You have dispensed with the necromancer’s head and his accursed weapon, consigning them forever to a watery grave, but in doing so the blade of the Kirusami is irrevocably damaged. The shining steel fractures and then shatters. The broken shards scatter across the rain-swept deck and are transmuted into lead by the dying power they harboured. (Erase Anseng’s Kirusami from your Action Chart.)

Your eye is caught by movement on the quayside. The Doomgah are slowly and nervously returning to the stone pier. They are very wary but they are also very curious to discover if Xaol has been triumphant. You crouch low to avoid being spotted and shuffle your way towards the door of the wheelhouse. You resolve to get below deck and find a place to hide before the Doomgah muster enough courage to come along the pier and board the Silver Virixe. When they find the ruined remains of Xaol’s corpse, they will likely come searching for you.

Your basic Kai Discipline of Mind Over Matter deals quickly and easily with the padlock on the wheelhouse door. It snaps open and you slide back the door and enter. Swiftly, you tug the door closed behind you and use the padlock to secure it from the inside. A set of wooden steps lead down to the lower deck where you discover the crews’ quarters. There are two cabins notably larger than the others: the Captain’s cabin and the Purser’s Cabin.

If you wish to explore the Captain’s cabin, turn to 40.

If you choose to investigate the Purser’s cabin, turn to 285.