After two days at sea Ekfel was getting boisterous. This group, these traveling Witless Wanderers, constantly seemed to come across devices from ancient Thassilon. Apparently that old empire had its remnants everywhere in this part of the world. Ekfel and his crew had searched the cities along the coasts of this continent for years, looking for any sign of the yellow robed bastard and the creatures from Leng. Thassilon was a dead-giveaway. Its symbol was all over the ships and devices of the Leng-folk. That was his only lead, and Ekfel felt certain that chasing down Thassilon devices was how he'd eventually get his revenge on the Leng-folk.
The thought filled his heart with aching, both for vengeance and home. His mission was justice. To kill the Leng. He was heartened that his small sacrifices along the way seemed to strengthen his gods bit by bit, but did he really ever hope to somehow get back home? To restore his gods fully, to see his family and friends again? His mission was revenge in the name of the gods and his people. He'd concern himself with his own personal desires when that was complete. But… to see his city again.. to look upon the great Jastorf Temple. He would get his revenge. He might even regain the sacred Ousia crystal and restore his people, after somehow returning home. Wherever that was from here. But he would definitely avenge.
Speaking of desires, Captain Grace Gallows sauntered by again, shaking him from his bloody reverie. Nice thighs. The observation came naturally to the tall man. Sometimes Ekfel used sexual escapades, drinking, and fighting, as a way to remind himself that he hadn't died along with his religion and culture. He was alive, full of sorrow but also full of vigor. The savvy Captain saw him appreciating her without looking directly at him, and smirked. "Not until business is concluded, big man. And only then if you're lucky," she said, still looking out to sea.
"Lucky? Who is more blessed than me?" Ekfel said. Grace snorted and continued walking away. "Indeed," Ekfel said to himself.
The Oceanic Explorer was a nice vessel. Of a size with his own ship. Ekfel wondered where Captain Ase and the Naglfar sailed now. He said a silent prayer for his kinsmen, on the same errand as himself. Looking for signs of Thassilon devices or other leads on the Leng-folk. Though Ase's search took the ship from port city to port city in the south, Ekfel had took to the countryside to find some leads. They were due to meet in a few months' time. The crew would be so excited by Ekfel's discovery that Thassilon devices were all over this Magnimar region. He meant to have more to tell them when they arrived. Maybe even a location for the Leng-creatures themselves.
Smiling and lost in his own thoughts again, Ekfel walked down the narrow staircase to the crew quarters belowdecks. Arturo was already there, setting up the gameboard. Ekfel was excited that his new companions were interested in this game of his homeland. Ekfel sat across from the young man, nodding approvingly at the gameboard preparation. He noted that Arturo was setting up space for a third warchief on the board. He looked up at Arturo, but his question was answered before he could ask.
A high-pitched voice shouted down from abovedeck, "Make way, grog incoming!" The agile halfling slid down the narrow staircase without spilling much of the three huge foaming mugs he carried. It was an impressive feat, and Ekfel exclaimed his amazement and made three quick claps. "Hah! Well done, master halfling! And thank you for the booze. I am pleased you are joining our game."
Heggin nodded, passing out the drinks. "Happy to play. Five gold each, is it? All fifteen to the winner? Let's hear the rules."
Ekfel looked at Arturo. "The others remain uninterested then?" he asked. The young man shrugged. No matter, Ekfel thought. I'll win them over eventually.
Two hours and three games later, Ekfel was pretty sure Heggin was cheating. The sly halfling kept winning in unbelievable ways. That only made Ekfel like the rascal more. And Heggin kept the trio pretty ossified - another bonus.
"A bad rower blames the oar," Ekfel told his companions after his third defeat. "Well done. You are skilled, halfling, and you have earned my coins this night. Let us play more tomorrow. Tell me now, what do you two plan on doing after this journey, my friends?"