<div style="padding: 3px; background-color: #FFFFFF; border: 1px solid #d8d8d8; font-size: 1em;"><div style="text-transform: uppercase; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCCCCC; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 0.8em; font-weight: bold; display: block;"><span onclick="if (this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display != '') {  this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = ''; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;hide&lt;/a&gt;'; } else { this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = 'none'; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;show&lt;/a&gt;'; }"><b>Spoiler: </b><a href="#" onclick="return false;">show</a></span></div><div class="quotecontent"><div style="display: none;">What Theron &amp; Mirage know of the raiders, given their Local Knowledge:<br/><br/>While neither had never run into them directly before, both would recognize the symbol as that of the Blood’s Edge Hunters, an organization of thieves specializing in oversea heists. They are a relatively small and low-key group compared with most, operating solely in Eva Heights and the waters surrounding it. Although comparatively new, their raiding teams had garnered a reputation for being swift of blade and even swifter of jaw if someone stood between them and whatever valuables they have their sights set on (even if that is simply a full belly).<br/><br/>Interestingly, unlike most such groups they encountered, the Blood’s Edge Hunters made a point of NOT associating with Silent Light. Despite having many of the same motives, its members look down on the cowardly slow-paced methods the larger organization often employed, seeing them as tied down in big jobs and too disconnected with the rough-and-tumble lifestyles most of them came from. Besides, they lived to ride over the ocean’s waters, taking in the thrill of taking over a ship like the pirates that they are.<br/><br/>Mirage also knows the following, from her Local Knowledge and Bardic Knowledge:<br/><br/>Despite having heard a few rumors regarding their combat or raiding ability, one detail Mirage had never been presented regarded the Blood's Edge Hunters' talents as magicians. That is simply due to the fact that they simply didn't have any amongst their ranks. Given the nature of their organization, most of their members came from downtrodden areas, a demographic that didn't yield many talented casters. More importantly, however, they saw little reason to include the arcane arts in the fast-paced world of heists and raids, where quick wits and quick blades often got the job done much more efficiently.<br/><br/>As far back as she could dig into recent memory, Mirage could simply find little to set this boat apart from any other. Dozens such ferries made the same trip as this vessel every week, yet their passengers' possessions were often as meager as the backgrounds they hailed from. Although she had seen or heard of some special family heirlooms being taken onto the ship, none of them warranted special attention from a team of raiders such as the Blood's Edge Hunters. Thus, it was a safe bet that the choice to assault this particular ferry had just been the luck of the draw as opposed to something premeditated and planned extensively in advance.</div></div></div><br/><br/>Almost as quickly as the crowd had been roused by the raiders’ approach, most of the riled mass vanished from the main deck as they rushed to get below. It was in no small part to the two canine guards, whose commanding shouts and barks could be heard over the panicked noises floating over the ferry. Even so, a good number of stragglers, having lost their bearings in the chaos much the way Mirage did, still dotted the wooden floor, and both the jackal and the wolf knew that time was running out.  Ushering a few more passengers into the side corridors, they broke from the group to rejoin momentarily on the deck.<br/><br/>“They’ll be here any second now,” the lupine muttered. “We need to clean up here quick.”<br/><br/>“I know,” the jackal answered. “Head to the stern stairwell. Take anyone you can down below. I’ll do the same here.”<br/><br/>With an understanding nod, the wolf rushed off as he was told, his deep voice breaking the cold afternoon air as he pushed some of the remaining passengers towards his designated entrance. Soon the jackal did the same, rounding up a small group of humans huddled along the portside railing. However, as he began ushering them along, his eyes trailed back to the center of the deck where, to his surprise, the small group he had seen earlier along with a hooded catgirl still stood.<br/><br/>“What are you doing?” he hollered, his anger and urgency clear in his tone. “Get below deck now, before they lock up!”<br/><br/>It didn’t take the jackal long to realize that his orders were being ignored, bringing an incredulous wide-eyed stare to his face. Had they gone mad?! They couldn’t stay up here! They’d get slaughtered! He could already see it playing out before him. The two wolves and the German shepherd, made cocky by their physical prowess, would fall to the attacks drawn to them by their weapons. And what about the tiefling? She was merely a student, hardly suited to defending herself against pirates. Then there was that young feline he hadn’t caught in the crowd before. He couldn’t say for sure, but given her light dress she didn’t seem like one to be cut out for a full-fledged battle either. It was a disaster in the making, yet he couldn’t do anything about it…<br/><br/>A frightened cry from the young girl before him caught his attention causing him to grit his teeth and glance nervously back at the group.  Damn it, why couldn’t they just have listened to him?  Shaking his head, he tried his best to comfort the huddling humans as he escorted them to the door, impatient to return and ensure his latest comrades didn’t have to fend for themselves…<br/><br/><br/>With an anxious glance, the young squirrelboy slipped out of the captain’s quarters, pulling his key from the now-secured lock and draping it over his neck before scrabbling down the pathway. It was remarkable to him how quickly they had gotten everyone below, remembering the disarray that had spanned the deck moments ago. His pace slow and alert, he treaded down along the bow-end door to the hold, dimly aware of the jackal and his latest charges as his gaze alighted on the intimidating group he had approached before. His eyes showed his admiration. They were going to fight and risk their lives up here? They weren’t going below deck?<br/><br/>“Hey, what are you doing?”<br/><br/>He quickly turned his head over his shoulder, where his companion mouse stood at the doorway. “Come on, get in! I have to lock up right now!”<br/><br/>His mouth opened to reply, but before he could his ears perked at a voice echoing from across the deck. Peering around the corner, he spotted them: a small pair of rabbits, shivering and scared out of their wits in the corner of the railing and steering cabin. They were the only others remaining above, yet they looked so helpless so scared…<br/><br/>The squirrelboy’s eyes trailed to the mouse’s, who instantly read the crazy thoughts within. “No,” he whispered, his own eyes wide and tense. “You can’t go. I have to lock up now.”<br/><br/>“He is right,” the jackal added sternly, standing over the smaller rodent. “It is not safe for you up here. You need to head below now.”<br/><br/>Frowning, the squirrel glanced at the lapine couple, then at the mouse, then at the jackal. He was a crewman of this ferry, and he wasn’t going to leave his passengers.<br/><br/>Bolting below the jackal’s grasp, the rodent bounded across the deck, leaving the mouseboy to shake his head sullenly and lock the door behind him. All thoughts of the group making a stand left the jackal’s mind as he pursued the squirrel, his mind flooded with a mix of anger and panic. For fuck’s sake, now was not the time! Yet the young ticket-puncher managed to stay one step ahead of him, and before long he had crouched down beside the rabbits to help them up. Despite his pleadings, however, the shaken lapines refused to budge, and it wasn’t long before the jackal caught up. “You idiot! Come on before you get yourself-“<br/><br/>The sound sent a shiver down his spine. Voices. Rowdy, gruff ones. They had boarded.<br/><br/>The squirrelboy stopped tugging on one of the rabbit’s arms and looked up just in time to see the jackal draw his halberd, bringing the handle within inches of his nose. “Stay behind me,” came the growled command. “Even if they get close. Stay here, or you will be killed.”<br/><br/><br/>In the sea-green tinged haze, the sounds of the approaching raiders were soft and eerie, muffled like those of their motorboat had been before. Yet it wasn’t long before those excited shouts and laughs drew closer, accompanied by the clanks of armor and weapons rubbing against each other. Then, out of the gloom, the raiders made their appearance, greeting those on the main deck with dark stares and devious grins. One by one, the six eclectic members of the motley crew filed over the wooden floor from around the engine room, weapons quivering in anticipation in their hands as they moved to encircle their quarry.<br/><br/>“Aww, what do we have here?” the pirate at the front, a large firmly-built wolf, muttered as he eyed the crowd sinisterly. “Looks like some of these poor souls couldn’t leave in time.” Although there were no crafted weapons on his body to speak of, his brown hide padding was shabby and bound together loosely with various straps and cords, attesting to the experience the lupine had garnered through many such raids in the past. His pace was slower and more methodical than his younger companions, his black fur dotted with scars and bearing a stark contrast to the deep gold eyes that bore boldly into Theron’s as he trotted by.  He was tailed by a young human boy, whose smooth skin and anxious look felt exceedingly out of place amongst the rest of his team. An oversized and shabby jacket was draped over his own armor, accompanied by a baggy pair of jeans and a large Gatsby-style cap that his brown hair poked from. His soft blue eyes were wide and wary as they jumped from Theron to Eruin and (especially) Rea, wringing the small bow in his hands cautiously.<br/><br/>“Speak for yourself Brion.”  The female tiger, tall and curvy even though her armor-gilded form, sauntered forward meaningfully, her eagerness clear in her tensed form. “Poor souls indeed. At least they save us the trouble of peeling open this tin can.” The remark was met with a loud cackle from the gnoll behind her, looking every bit as feral and hungry as his heritage suggested. His armor looked the most ill-kept and ready to fall apart of the lot, quite a feat given that it consisted of a single breastplate coating his chest. Nonetheless, his thick muscles were easily visible beneath his mottled fur, and the greataxe in his hands shook with murderous intent.<br/><br/>“Good thing too!” came the next response, this time from a white female ratling as she took small precise steps along the railing. Her voice was high and squeaky, much like the clinks that came off the chainmail coating her upper body. “I’m positively starving, and these people smell positively delectable!” Her sharp little gaze alighted on Alyssa and Mirage, her tongue flicking over her lips in a not-so subtle gesture as her naked little tail whipped around her legs. The weasel behind her also set his eyes on them for a moment, although most of his attention seemed focused on the two large wolves close by. He looked every bit the pirate he was, complete with rolled up sleeves, a bandana over his tan-furred head, and a cheeky smirk curved like the rapier in his grasp. A bright intelligent glint shone purposefully in his eyes.<br/><br/>“Come on!” The young human boy’s voice, not nearly as deep or commanding as those of the others, echoed over the deck. “Reja’s team got taken out already! We should just take whatever loot we can and-”<br/><br/>His lips immediately sealed as the black wolf glared at him, his haunting gaze full of malice. “Was that a challenge of my authority?”<br/><br/>Again, the gnoll’s cackle rang out over the scene. “Ooh, Tau’s gon' git his ass chomped! Kekekekeke!”<br/><br/>“Maybe later,” the tigeress snapped. “We need the main course before dessert, after all.”<br/><br/>With that, all eyes again fell on the party, and with weapons at the ready they prepared to begin their raid…<br/><br/>((Only Theron and Eruin are aware of the following))<br/><div style="padding: 3px; background-color: #FFFFFF; border: 1px solid #d8d8d8; font-size: 1em;"><div style="text-transform: uppercase; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCCCCC; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 0.8em; font-weight: bold; display: block;"><span onclick="if (this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display != '') {  this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = ''; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;hide&lt;/a&gt;'; } else { this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = 'none'; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;show&lt;/a&gt;'; }"><b>Spoiler: </b><a href="#" onclick="return false;">show</a></span></div><div class="quotecontent"><div style="display: none;">Things had not gone to plan. Not at all.<br/><br/>It was supposed to be an easy job. Just board the ship, grab whatever stuff the passengers had left on deck, and run. But that plan had gone to hell faster than the cougar could ever have imagined. Not only had the second boarding boat been taken out, but now to complicate things some of the passengers were taking a stand against them. How did everything go wrong so fast?<br/><br/>Breathing softly, the feline crept cautiously to the railing of the observation deck and peered down at the scene unfolding below. He winded and shook his head as he realized what they were doing. No, don’t go picking a fight! Not with that lot! Even from up here, he could sense the potential they had, the danger the posed. No, they didn’t have enough people, not after the other team was taken out. They should have aborted and headed off, picking him up after he snuck of the ship at the city. Fools, all of them!<br/><br/>His eyes soon alighted on the human boy, now standing against the starboard railing. Poor kid. They had only picked him up a week ago, yet he had already gotten such a hard time from the others on the team. It was a miracle he hadn’t gotten eaten yet, but from the ways things were looking that might not stand for long. Such a pity too. He was a nice boy…<br/><br/>His long tan jacket shuffled again, and this time a crossbow appeared in his hand. This was going to be one hell of a fight. He only hoped the kid would have the presence of mind to run if things turned bad…<br/><br/>((DC 15 Climb check to climb up to the observation deck. The observation deck is 10 ft. above the main deck.))</div></div></div><br/><br/><div style="padding: 3px; background-color: #FFFFFF; border: 1px solid #d8d8d8; font-size: 1em;"><div style="text-transform: uppercase; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCCCCC; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 0.8em; font-weight: bold; display: block;"><span onclick="if (this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display != '') {  this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = ''; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;hide&lt;/a&gt;'; } else { this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = 'none'; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;show&lt;/a&gt;'; }"><b>Spoiler: </b><a href="#" onclick="return false;">show</a></span></div><div class="quotecontent"><div style="display: none;"><img alt="Image" src="http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/sonatawolf/BattleGrid1copy.jpg"/><br/><br/>1 - Brion<br/>2 - Tau<br/>3 - Pyrah<br/>4 - Rutus<br/>5 - Estera<br/>6 - Noel<br/>7 - Isarr<br/>+ - Ally/Civilian</div></div></div><br/><br/><div style="padding: 3px; background-color: #FFFFFF; border: 1px solid #d8d8d8; font-size: 1em;"><div style="text-transform: uppercase; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCCCCC; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 0.8em; font-weight: bold; display: block;"><span onclick="if (this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display != '') {  this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = ''; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;hide&lt;/a&gt;'; } else { this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = 'none'; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;show&lt;/a&gt;'; }"><b>Spoiler: </b><a href="#" onclick="return false;">show</a></span></div><div class="quotecontent"><div style="display: none;">A little battle music for you all: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJDcHa0jnOA">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJDcHa0jnOA</a><!-- m --><br/><br/>The track is titled "One Day You Won't See The Sunrise". Who does that apply to? I guess we'll have to see... &gt;:3</div></div></div><br/><br/><div style="padding: 3px; background-color: #FFFFFF; border: 1px solid #d8d8d8; font-size: 1em;"><div style="text-transform: uppercase; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCCCCC; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 0.8em; font-weight: bold; display: block;"><span onclick="if (this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display != '') {  this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = ''; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;hide&lt;/a&gt;'; } else { this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = 'none'; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;show&lt;/a&gt;'; }"><b>Spoiler: </b><a href="#" onclick="return false;">show</a></span></div><div class="quotecontent"><div style="display: none;">One last thing... it's time to roll initiative, people. &gt;:3</div></div></div><br/><br/>- - - - -<br/><br/>Brion (Wolf): HP -<span style="color: #00BF00">44/44</span>- AC 20<br/>Tau (Human): HP -<span style="color: #00BF00">28/28</span>- AC 16<br/>Pryah (Tiger): HP -<span style="color: #00BF00">32/32</span>- AC 18<br/>Rutus (Gnoll): HP -<span style="color: #00BF00">46/46</span>- AC 17<br/>Estera (Ratling): HP -<span style="color: #00BF00">36/36</span>- AC 16<br/>Noel (Weasel): HP -<span style="color: #00BF00">35/35</span>- AC 18<br/>Isarr (Cougar): HP -<span style="color: #00BF00">27/27</span>- AC 18<br/><br/>- - - - -<br/><br/>Theron: HP -<span style="color: #00BF00">70/70</span>- AC 17<br/>Eruin: HP -<span style="color: #00BF00">72/72</span>- AC 21<br/>Rea: HP -<span style="color: #00BF00">67/67</span>- AC 25<br/>Mirage: HP -<span style="color: #00BF00">45/45</span>- AC 21<br/>Alyssa: HP -<span style="color: #00BF00">49/49</span>- AC 19<br/>Grim: HP -<span style="color: #00BF00">24/24</span>- AC 20