Usually Central Standard, though I can have to travel at relatively short notice.   Therefore if I drop off it is most likely due to unexpected travel.  Either way, I don't mind Simulacrum moving forward if I am the holdup in question in any given instance.

In reply to Simulacrum (msg #2):

US Pacific here as well.  I try check a couple times throughout the day.

I'm in Mountain Time, so -7:00. I have access from the office, and will pop in a couple times a day to check on things, so that shouldn't slow us down too much.

That said, my wife is in the midst of opening her own business, so my "off" hours are mostly "on" right now, and that means my evening posting rate has dropped.

Central European here, I can often post in the morning as well as evenings. Afternoons are usually out.

US Pacific time here and I work from home, so I'm practically always available.  If I'm not at the computer I can pull it up from my phone, and refresh a couple times in the evening to see if there's been an update.

The dice are not with me today it would seem.  The field is yours, Sirrah.

A marginal victory, sir. Well debated!

Just received my hardcopy, to go with my pdf, of AoT yesterday.  Now to convert my table-top group to Legend and AoT...

16:55, Today: Iskander Chrysos rolled 40 using 1d100. Education (80).

Ok, who wants to do what?
Iskander will hit the books of course trying to find references to the island.

Which brings up a question, are there actual maps in the setting or are itineraries and travelogues what we have?

If time permits, he'll be happy to go talk with the more well to do captains and travellers who might be less likely to want to pollute themselves by associating with the great unwashed (that's you guys). :)

Specific information would include if anyone has heard of any islands in the general direction where our island is supposed to be. Stories of ships blown off course suddenly finding a sheltered cove on an unknown island somewhere they didn't expect it, things like that.

My concern with hitting the streets and canvasing for knowledge of the island is that it will pretty much mean that Ivanthus and Valsus each, if interested, will know where we are going.  And I would rather avoid that if possible.

Though the trade-off I suppose is having to make do with whatever written intelligence can be found, which is likely less current.

Could someone think of a way to gather such information without it being connected back to us and our being the interested parties?

Nothing except just buying drinks all around and asking sailors and captains to tell their tall tales, hoping something of interest comes of it. Keep the specific questions to a minimum but encourage stories in the general direction of what we're after.

   Rhaskos, due to character, would want to pour over the books.

   Even if he doesn't find anything, he would still enjoy the library.  His education is in the 30s.

Iskander would be surprised at the suggestion if Rhaskos voiced it, but wouldn't mind the company.

I suppose that is possible, though not infallible.  Mmm.  It may be the best we can do, while researching the island etc.

Ah, I take that back.  Reviewing the posts it has already been announced that Solisand is our destination in public.  So investigate away.  There is no damage to be done then.

If people were able to tolerate the wait Sanjar could do research for summoning a Sylph and/or Undine to assist with the sailing.  That could significantly affect our sailing speed and susceptibility to weather.  Not to mention elementals are not so shabby in a fight.

I note that Safra has declared her intentions to  sail 'within the month'.  Would that allow enough time for such?

How detailed are the import/tariff records in Thyrta?  Would one be able to judge the relative impact of on  the business of Valsus by Prishad and his new shipments by checking the records in the temple of Sabateus?  How wealthy and/or well known is Valsus?  How large or small is his home?

Depending on what kind of time delay she's willing to accept, we could make up a whole business venture idea trade with the island nations and try to gather a large amount of information in order to conceal the smaller amount of information we're actually looking for.

That would possibly be very time tedious and still runs the risk of not finding us anything.

I'm sure there's got to be some information back in the capital, but there's the balance between spending the time required to find the information vs. letting the trail run cold(er).

There was some mention of time, and it sounds like the trail is around 6 mo's old at least?

Plus there's the whole Valsus issue.  If he's a conspirator and we figure it out, he can be brought to justice.  If he's a conspirator and we don't figure it out and instead tip our hand, he could send warning (or may just lay low).

I'll hit up the urchins and the sea captains.  The boys that delivered the original message sound like a good place to start, and as a fellow sea captain I may be able to get information from the others without sounding obvious.

In reply to Iskander Chrysos (msg #14):

Maps are rare, although things lkike maps with travel distance, waypoints etc can be found. Travel literature exists, but the best stuff is often wildly out of date, written before the Cataclysm when Korantis ruled the waves. Current data is often a close commercial secret.

I'll report back on your education roll later when i have access to my text.

Meanwhile, places to look:

A key part of the local establishment is the Borissan Syndics, the cult of sabateus who regulate trade and farm taxes. It's influential head is a man called Kortano.

Thyrta has only one resident scholar of note, a man called Medanthros the Educator.

The town's most famous sailor is one Rilados. Kordan at least cannot fail to have heard of him. He doesn't seem to be going anywhere other than back to the bar these days, but he's a local legend.

Those who decide to go and hang out in the stews favoured by the local sailing community, or to hang out down on the harbourside, should specify what direction they are probing for answers, and what kind of folk they seek out - and streetwise, shiphandling, insight, lore or influence rolls will be asked for accordingly.

Excellent info, thanks.


sniff. One scholar of note?  Iskander will naturally head over his way, presumably with Rhaskos in tow, once his own books have been exhausted.

I assume the lady will foot our bills? It's too gauche for Iskander to ask, but will want some sort of compensation, his role is everything but clear in this (so far he's mostly just having fun)
This message was last edited by the player at 18:10, Tue 29 May 2012.

Sanjar, you'd probably tell the lady she will have a bodyguard from now on :)

In reply to Sanjar Zand (msg #19):



You would need an appropriate resource for research - Thyrta does not have a library full of esoterica.

Timing right now is to undergo appropriate preparations and await favourable winds. This could take days - but perhaps much longer. In reality the main concern is Safra's patience - but she's no fool. If the best thing to do to ensure success were to wait months, she would consider it, however she cannot maintain ship, crew and hired swords indefinitely while they lay idle not earning their keep.

In reply to Iskander Chrysos (msg #22):

In then end you can of course ask for money, it's just a demeaning thing to have to do. In many cases you will be able to swing 'credit', and direct the bill to Safra when it arrives.

In reply to Kordan Mardahar (msg #20):

OK, so Kordan and Sallantus are heading to the docks to pump sailors for information - Kordan is eliciting urchin support and looking up Rilados along the way. Are these guys working together, or separately?

Sanjar is assumed to be hovering in Safra's orbit unless stated otherwise. Tanek joins him, now as bodyguard (Safra seems comfortable with this, and even speaks a little Taskan). Is this group set with a plan, or waiting to see where Safra leads?

Iskander and Chrysos are heading to see Medanthros the Educator to find out if they can get any more information on Solisand from him.

I don't know what Nikolos is up to. I'll assume he is with Tanek until he pops up with some instructions.

So far all information being sought is specifically about the island, not after Valsus or Haliskome - is that right?

One exception, Kordan is also fishing for information on this 'Valsus' character by trawling for gossip on all the town's merchants without discrimination.

Let me know if this is right.

Unless there are any other instructions:

for now Sallantus can make a Streetwise modified by Boating at a cost of 1 SP in booze.

Kordan can make an easy Influence test at +20 to have the urchins track down Rilados for him. but these boys are no use in providing a summary of Thyrta's merchants! 0.5SP cost in rewards.

We'll move to interaction with the two key NPCs identified so far in discrete threads.

Pending reply from Safra, Sanjar would like to investigate matters with the Syndics/Temple of Sabateus.

And to ward up Tanek.

In reply to Simulacrum (msg #26):

I'd say we head off more or less together.  We might take little side ventures, like me with the urchins, but heading in a similar direction and meeting up with each other before heading elsewhere.

Influence roll to track down Rilados using the urchins's help.
19:50, Today: Kordan Mardahar rolled 26 using 1d100. Influence, easy +20 (73) check.

Removed 0.5sp from char sheet.

I wonder which one is the evil twin? :)