Dialogue and descriptions from The Longest Journey by Funcom - Transcript compiled by Bluejay, slightly modified by me
Before long the sight of the heaving ocean forced her to retire below. She ended up lying in her hammock in the cargo hold, which doubled up as crew quarters and could barely rouse for dinner. A sympathetic Tun Luiec brought her a tray, apples and fish, which was the only food onboard. She could hardly eat it, her stomach was roiling distressingly.
It became worst during the night, the ship tossing and pitching so much that sprays of saltwater showered on her now and then, her hammock conveniently located right below the open grill of the cargo hold. When she finally did fall asleep, she dreamt of being on a wild roller-coaster ride. The next day brought little relief though she managed to swallow some food.
thursday, late afternoon.
i am so sick, i'n having a hard time writing even a few word. forgiv poor spelling. why dos the boat hav to keeep moving arond? why cant they make boat thatjust stays still? i mean they got magi right? beats me
we leave port yesterday evening, and i dont sleep a wink allnite. just rocking roking rockng all nite loong. and then theres the food which is, lik, fish and appples, fish and apples, every meal!!! oh great here i go agan gotta get som air
She rushed to the main deck and spewed what little content she had in her stomach over the side.
April:
Oh God, my guts have been cleaned out, and I still feel sick.
She took a deep breath and averted her eyes from the ocean. Why did the horizon had to keep rolling back and forth like that? Feeling sapped of all strength, she sat down leeward on the deck snd closed her eyes in the hope that her stomach wiould settle. Aloft, Tun Luiec had the wheel as Nebevay scanned the horizon with his spyglass. The wind seemed to be picking up. He frowned as his innate senses twitched a warning. Frowning, he shouted to the sailor on watch.
Captain Nebevay:
Watch, my nose is itching! Are you sleeping on duty again?
Watch:
Stormfront! West, headin' our way! It looks like a right old bugger, too! (Nebevay turns to look as the sailor points abaft)
Captain Nebevay:
Aye, by the mercy of Jaal, it's a Chaos storm. Where in damnation did it come from this quickly? And what's pulling it here? Navigator, change our course! We must away from the stormfront and to safe harbor!
April:
Uh oh. I just felt a cold shiver running down my spine.
She had to find out what was going on and lurched her way to the bridge. It was the first time she set foot on the bridge since she came aboard, being too strickened with seasickness to explore the ship. Engraved on the door leading to the captain's private quarters and offices aft of the helm was a strange rune. She wondered what it meant. A symbol of luck? The bleached white skull of an animal hung on the lower apex of the arch of the coach roof. Little dried speck of white which she supposed are birds' droppings coated the top of the roof. A glass orb with a strange, magical glow which she supposed was some kind of compass was behind the wheel. To the starboard side of the bridge, Nebevay stood, anxiously monitoring the stormfront through his spyglass.
April:
Captain? (He turned to her impatiently) Sir?
Captain Nebevay:
Leave me be, girl! I have work to do. We must avoid the storm, lest it comes on us like Jaal's calloused heel and crushes us.
April:
But we're still going to Alais, right?
Captain Nebevay:
Hah! You can forget about that. We must avoid the dangerous waters of the islands and head straight for Ge'en if we're to stand a chance of outrunning the storm.
April:
But I have to get to Alais as soon as possible! The fate of two worlds depends on it!
Captain Nebevay:
And the fate of my ship and my crew depends on us changing our course for Ge'en. Now leave me be!
He turned back to his watch. It was pointless to ask him again, she could see that he had too much on his mind to have any patience to deal with her questions. She may have better luck with Tun Luiec.
April:
What's going on, Tun?
Tun Luiec:
A storm approaches, April, and it is no ordincary storm...
April:
What do you mean by "no ordinary storm"?
Tun Luiec:
Look to the clouds, do they appear normal to you? (She nods to the distant dark clouds that balloon strangely in clamps)
April:
They look strange, it's true.
Tun Luiec:
It is a Chaos storm, a strong storm caught in a magical vortex, drawn to strong magic like bees to honey. I have never seen one with my own eyes, but I have heard stories.
April:
What have you heard about Chaos storms?
Tun Luiec:
That they appear only rarely, and that they signify great and terrible events in the near future. It is also said that they are weapons used by the dark lords to hunt and destroy those strong in the Balance.
April:
Can we escape a Chaos storm?
Tun Luiec:
If we run fast enough and reach safe harbor... perhaps. I have not heard of a Chaos storm to last more than a single night, and this one is still quite a distance away. But it gains fast. I do not know, April.
April:
Will you still be able to get me to Alais tomorrow?
Tun Luiec:
I am afraid not. The captain has ordered our course changed south, to get us away from the rocky waters around the islands. We are about three days away from Ge'en, but if the weather improves before then, perhaps he will be willing to turn about. But I would not count on it, April. He cares much for his ship, and for his crew, and he would not risk it for anything or anyone.
April:
You still need my magic to get wind in your sails.
Tun Luiec:
The wind seems to be picking up on it own, thus Nebevay has no need for your magic, April. I am sorry, but once we reach Ge'en I am certain you will find passage to the islands.
April:
I don't have three days, Tun. The Balance is failing.
Tun Luiec:
I am sorry. It is out of my hands.
April:
I have a question about your compass.
Tun Luiec:
Certainly.
April:
What kind of compass are you using?
Tun Luiec:
It is just a normal spirit compass. When we are not navigating by the stars, or by the sun, we use this.
April:
What's a spirit compass?
Tun Luiec:
I forget you are not familiar with the sea. A spirit compass points always to the magical north pole, and thus we may navigate according to it. It is very precise, unless affected by a strong magical source.
April:
Won't the Chaos affect the accuracy of the spirit compass?
Tun Luiec:
If the storm catches up with us, perhaps. But I do not think so. Only a very focused magical field in close proximity to the compass would be able to affect it.
April:
Thanks, that's all I needed to know.
Tun Luiec:
I hope this knowledge made you richer.
April:
I'll let you go back to work.
Tun Luiec:
Thank you.
She could not allow the ship to divert to Ge'en. She would have prefered not to put the lives of others at jeapordy but she had no choice now. The ship wiould have to be directed back to the original course to Alais. The talisman of the Balance had strong magic, according to Tobias, it should be able to fool the spirit compass. But she would need to distract both Nebevay and Tun Luiec. Nebevay was the main difficulty but if she could bring something to his attention ; something important that affected the crew? As she looked around for an inspiration, her eyes fell on the apple barrel amidship on the main deck. An emergency with the victuals? Aside from whatever fish they had been able to catch, the apples were the only food they had onboard. She staggered over to the apple barrel which was half empty and was disgusted to find apples cores within.
April:
Ugh, gross... People, do not toss the apples back into the barrel after eating. (She rummaged about, tossing apple cores overboard) Here's a nice plump one.
If she had something to cause a blemish on the apple. Maybe some insects from the flour sacks in the cargo hold. There were sure to be some. She made her way below and checked the flour sacks and found what she was looking for ; a fat worm. It proved to be an elusive and slippery quarry though, evading her fingers by wriggling in and out of the holes in the sack. She grabbed a candy she had taken from the Fringe Cafe and popped it into her mouth. She grimaced at the taste. It was absoluely horrid! Ugh! It tasted like mouthwash! She spat out the candy, smeared it over the holes of the sack and waited patiently. Her vigilence was rewarded a few minutes later when the worm crawled out and was stuck on the sticky patch she made. Digging a small hole in the apple with her finger, she dropped the worm into it.
April:
Get to it, little guy. Eat your heart out.
On the way to the bridge, she noticed that her seasickness seemed to have abated.
April:
Sir?
Captain Nebevay:
Leave me be!
April:
Captain, the worms have invaded the apple barrel!
Captain Nebevay:
Cursed be the Balance! First the storm, now this? Is there no end to the horors? Let me see! (He glared at the apple she handed over to him) Jaal's infected arsehole, ye be right! Those are worms, all right -- vicious, snarling wheat worms driven mad by their hunger for a change of diet!
April:
As far as I could tell, that was the only apple infected... but I could be wrong.
Captain Nebevay:
Good of you to catch it, girl, before it spread any further! I'll have to go pluck the apples immdiately! They must be saved!
He hurried down to the main deck, leaving her alone with Tun Luiec.
April:
Do you want me to relieve you at the wheel for a while?
Tun Luiec:
I am not sure if this is such a good idea, April.
April:
What's the big deal? I just hold it straight, right?
Tun Luiec:
Well... I could do with a short break to stretch my legs. Fine, but I will be back soon. And if anything happens, just call out for help.
April:
Of course. Thanks!
Alone on the bridge, she studied the spirit compass. Unfortunately, it was not as decipherable as the usual compass.
April:
If the compass was pointing in that direction when we were on course for Alais... and now it's pointing in this direction... Oh, hell, I'll just wing it. "Use the force, April". After all, who's the chosen one here?
She tied the talisman to the bottom metal frame of the stand that held the compass, out of sight, and called down to Tun Luiec strolling slowly on the main deck.
April:
Tun! Need some assistance up here!
Tun Luiec took over the wheel the moment she was on the bridge.
April:
I think I may have strayed off course a bit when I was at the wheel.
Tun Luiec:
I did not feel the boat turning.
April:
Well, I have the feeling we're gonna miss Ge'en by a coupla hundred kilometers if you don't correct our course.
Tun Luiec:
Let me check the compass. (April watched anxiously as she looked at the compass) By the Balance, you are right, April. It is good you were aware of your mistake or we might have ended up pierced on the deadly reefs of Tagate. I will correct out course immdiately.
April:
Sorry about that.
Tun Luiec:
Oh no, I let you take the wheel. I am just glad we are back on course.
April:
Yeah. Back on course. (coughed)
Feel a little better now, which is kinda worrying, because I so don't want to get used to this! I'm a definite land-person. Soil between my toes like the Bandu Elder said.
A short time ago the captain ordered the navigator to change course, to take us away from a stormfront. Now, I know he probably has the best interests of his crew at heart, but I gotta think about the rest of the world. As well as my world. I NEED to get to Alais, quickly. I feel that time is running out, and this Chaos Storm is only a harbinger. So using the talisman Tobias gave me on the compass, I think I managed to fool them into putting us back on course for the islands. Now I'm just praying they won't notice before it's too late, and that the storm won't catch up with us. I've been lucky so far. I'm counting on my luck lasting just a little bit longer.
Pleeease?
As the ship sailed on, the sky rapidly became darker.
April:
Is it my imagination or is the storm getting closer?
Tun Luiec:
By the Balance, you are right! The storm is catching up with us! We might have to ride it out. It is good we are nowhere near the islands, or we would have to worry about reefs as well.
April:
(alarmed) Reefs? Nobody said anything about reefs. Tun, I have something to tell -- (Tun Luiec did not hear her as she shouted for Nebevay)
Tun Luiec:
Captain! Sir! We need you on the bridge! The storm is closing in!
Nebevay clomped up to the bridge hurriedly and scanned the stormfront.
Captain Nebevay:
By the foul bowels of Jaal, you're right, Luiec. It's closing in faster than any storm I've seen or heard, Chaos, or otherwise. It's like it's chasing something or someone. (He shouted down to the crew) All right, listen up! The storm's going to hit in an hour or two, and I want everything to be ready! Tighten the hatches, strap down the cargo, wake up the watch, and by Jaal's big toe, someone put a lid on the apple barrel!
The sailors hastened to carry out his orders. The waves began to rear higher as the wind blew strongly. Streaks of intense brilliant lightning hurled seawards from the sky, the storm clouds reached out with grasping hands, casting the surrounding sea and beyond into darkness. Not a happy sight to everyone on the boat. As yet, neither Nebevay nor Tun Luiec had noticed the talisman but that might change any minute. She had better retreieved it while everyone was so busy. But Nebevay turned around just as she untied it.
Captain Nebevay:
What is that? What is that you have there?
April:
It's a necklace I misplaced, but I found it again, so no need to worry.
Captain Nebevay:
What was it doing next to the spirit compass? Let me see that necklace right now.
April:
It's a valuable family heirloom. I don't let anybody touch it.
Captain Nebevay:
Give it here! (One glance was enough and he pinned her with a furious glare) This talisman has the mark of the Balance and of the Sentinel. This is an object of great magic! The Balance be cursed, girl, what by Jaal's hideous countenance did you think you were doing?
April:
I need to get to Alais as soon as possible!
Captain Nebevay:
So you claim, but do you know what you've done instead? You've put the lives of everyone on this boat in grave danger! With the storm upon us, the last we need is dangerous waters! Thank Jaal's assassin, we still may have time to avoid the rocks of the Bristan atoll, but I swear by the honor of the Three Biased Judges of Ge'en that I'll have you before a court when -- if we get to land!
April:
It's plain, old non-magical talisman.
Captain Nebevay:
Then what in Jaal's accursed name was it doing next to the spirit compass? Give the talisman here, girl. Now! (One glance was enough and he pinned her with a furious glare) This talisman has the mark of the Balance and of the Sentinel. This is an object of great magic! The Balance be cursed, girl, what by Jaal's hideous countenance did you think you were doing?
April:
It wasn't me!
Captain Nebevay:
Do you think me stupid! I'm standing here looking at you, girl, and I see what you're up to. If any of my crew or my ship is harmed I'll cut your head off myself! Now get to the brig, and stay there until we reach land or the ship goes down! By Jaal's cruelest deeds, I'll see you answer to a court the moment we reach -- if we reach land. Go!
April:
It's a talisman bestowed with strong magic.
Captain Nebevay:
What? You put a magical talisman next to the spirit compass? Are you completely daft, girl? Do you know what you've done? By Jaal, I should throw you overboard! Give it here! (One glance was enough and he pinned her with a furious glare) This talisman has the mark of the Balance and of the Sentinel. This is an object of great magic! The Balance be cursed, girl, what by Jaal's hideous countenance did you think you were doing?
April:
I didn't think it would do any harm.
Captain Nebevay:
Are you this stupid, girl? Do you think this is a game? I should not have made that deal... women at sea, Jaal was right, damn his immortal soul to darkest pits of Chaos. Get your arse to the brig right now, and stay there! When -- if we get to land, I'll see you before a court, or may Jaal's assassin strike me down with his three-bladed poisoned sword!
Captain Nebevay:
Check the compass, Luiec, and correct our course accordingly! And don't let this wench touch anything from now on, you hear? (He cast a venomous look at the talisman) I need to place this accursed talisman as far away from the spirit compass as possible.
He hurried off down below as Tun Luiec checked the compass and turned the wheel over to change course. She looked askance at April before turning back to the wheel. April was sorry and doubted Tun would listen to her at the moment. Right now, she had to get the talisman back so she dashed down below. Midway down the stairs, she grabbed hold of the balustrade to steady herself as the ship shook and quavered. She wondered what had just happened. The wood groaned. Whatever it was , it could not be a good thing. The ship ceased to quiver and settled back to riding the waves. She entered the cargo hold just in time to see Nebevay tossing the talisman into a sturdy wooden empty chest and locking it. She ducked out of sight behind the sacks of flour as he returned to the main deck.
As water rushed in. she picked herself up and ran up to the main deck, shouting to Nebevay. By the time the crew got down below, the cargo hold was flooded. They set the pumps as a couple of the sailors frantically tried to board up the leak. Amidst the confusion, the storm reached them. The waves rose even higher, tossing the ship about, the hole widened as wood splinterd from the force of the waves. The sailors abandoned their futile efforts, the ship was doomed..Soon, it was bogged down by the water within the cargo hold and began to sink. Nebevay shouted someting April could not make out. Waves crashed over the main deck and swept her overboard into the sea. She struck out instinctively, panic nearly overwhelming her. A crate swept by and she grabbed hold of it. As she looked towards the ship, a whirling wind tore off the masts and sails and the ship vanished beneath the waves.