[PM Before Entry Please] The Open Sea [Post Here First]

Dolburese ships are stout and durable. Each one if crafted by a craftsmen who has been creating pieces of art from tree trunks all their life - An art form made even more revered due to the risks involved with procuring wood. Many vessels such as the one in Elizabeth's sight had left the docks of Dolburimm that day, but few had ventured out as far from the shore in search of a prey quite so deadly. A prey they were currently in the midst of heated battle with. 

As Elizabeth and her fleet would draw closer they would see the singular vessel rocking frantically in the ocean waves. No more then ten hardy dwarven folk remained on the deck of the boat each with either a crossbow or a harpoon in hand. They called out to each other, hands pointing down into the dark below as they scanned the waves for signs of movement.

"Do you see it?"

"Where'd It go?"

"By my beard did you see the size of that thing?"

The questions quickly stopped flying through the air as a much larger, built dwarf took a position at the helm of the ship. His arms were thick with muscle and his head was void of hair. "Still yourselves for Bunrigg and Malnir surely watch over us this day." He thrust his loaded crossbow into the sky with one hand cheering out in an encouraging roar as he did so "For Dolburimm!"

It was at this point that the foul beast showed itself. Countless tentacles rose up from the ocean spray and wrapped around the ship easily dwarfing it in size nearly two-fold. The sailors struggled to hold their ground trying all they could to launch volley after volley of bolts into the creature's slimy appendages all the while the other ships grew closer and closer, unnoticed by all but one. 

The huge beast flailed it's many tentacles wildly, writhing around in pain as the griffin riders made their assault. Thick purple blood would ooze from the puncture wounds and onto the Dolburese vessel which it currently had in it's grasp. A grasp which was becoming weaker thanks to the strangers aid. The captain shot a glance over to the strange flying beasts and their riders as he let fly his crossbow into another of the beast's countless tentacles. "Watch out Lads! She's a feisty one!" He said in a surprisingly lighthearted tone considering the situation. The monstrosity had only it's extremities above the water with half clinging onto the vessel while the other half tried to swat charging griffin rider's from the sky as they made their charges.

The creature was beginning to suffer from fatigue as the wounds it had taken began to take it's toll, sapping it of both energy and resolve. After another couple of minutes or so of wild trashing it seemed to withdraw it's hold from the Dolburese vessel and slink back down into the darkness below. The remaining crew let out a victorious cheer which rang through the air. The captain did not participate however, instead opting to reload his crossbow and aim it towards the strange mounted company which had just aided them.

"You there! Are 'ye friend or foe?" His voice was loud and commanding, clear enough to be heard over the distance between the two groups. It was a fairly pleasant day just off the coast of Dolburimm, compared to usual, with only a light spattering of rain falling from the otherwise clouded sky. The remaining crew, six in total including the captain, also pointed their freshly loaded weapons to the sky to mimic the actions of their leader. A tense silence fell over the vessel as they awaited a reply, fingers held nervously on the triggers of their weapons.

"Well you did swoop in to lend us a hand" The captain slowly lowered his bow before motioning to his men to do the same. They wearily followed orders, their eyes still fixed on the beasts which the strangers were riding.

"What brings you to our shores stranger?" The tallest of the dwarfs, the captain, walked forward a little inspecting Finch fascinated with her armour and weaponry. He himself wore a rugged vest made from tanned sealhide, the neck trimmed with a rather impressive walrus skinned lining which led down into a similarly fashioned cloak. 

"Wha...What in Balren's beard are those things?" One of the crewmen spoke shakily, his face clearly distressed at the site of the beasts in front of him.

The boat shook slightly as both the griffin followed by it's rider stepped foot on the deck. Various pieces of equipment were broken or in dire need of repair after the attack leaving the group of dwarfs motionless for now.

"Tysri fills the water with many creatures such as the one we just fought. The waters around Dolburimm are the eternal battleground of him and the allfather, Balren"

The captain turned to face his crew, no doubt a look of confusion on the Lieutenant's face. "Alright brothers, lets see if we can't get this baby back into the port." His order was given sternly, an air of command about the man.

"Daldan" He stated plainly as he turned back to Elizabeth and thrust out his hand for her. He stood at almost five foot and was, by a decent margin, the tallest dwarf left standing on the ship.

The captain motioned at the remnants of the mast with a defeated look on his face as he panned over to the oars. 

" 'Aye it would be handy if you could give us a pull back to port. We haven't the equipment to sail back nor the man power to row to Dolburimm any time this week."

He chuckled lightly, his hand reaching to the back of his neck to rub it awkwardly as he boldly asked for the strangers aid.

"If you'd do this for us. I'll do my best to get you a audience with one of the Thanes." He glance around to his men who had all but given up trying to get the ship back into any semblance of working order. "I'm not much of a betting man, but I'd not hesitate to bet my last seal hide on Thelnir wanting to speak to the stranger that aided his people against the kin of Tysri"

The response is swift and silent as Madame Naoki speaks to Lieutenant Finch telepathically. 

"The city of what? I am unaware of any "City of Dolburrim". Where are you, on a ship? Whose ship? Are you and your squad well? I need more information, please continue."

"The City of Dolburrimis what I think I overheard one of the crew saying. Assuming the crew here are representative of the population, though it is a small sample size, the people appear to be dwarves. My platoon suffered light casualtues during the conflict with the behemoth, 2 dead and 1 wounded. Swatted right into the ocean."

That was a new trick. She had not realized the gemstones could do that, but she also was not surprised at that. The permission to extract herself from a hostile situation was also a slight relief, knowing she could act in her soldiers' best interests always made her job easier as their officer. This was a new task for her, the closest she had ever come to this was in dealing with the refugees from Medan. Always time to learn something new she figured.

"Of course ma'am, I will ensure my Riders and I present the best possible image of Isra we can. I shall keep you updated to the best of my ability ma'am, how is everything back home?"