The voyage to Argos had been painfully slow.

The captain and crew hired had to manage unfavorable winds which had hampered the ship on the first day. While the second day the group was spent almost entirely belowdecks given that the ship had sailed into a horrible storm with waves the rocked the boat back and forth.  It was to the groups' chagrin to discover that the ship that Lord Joris' had provided them wasn't entirely seaworthy, given various small leaks in some of the cabins.

It was on the third day that the hired captain called counsel with the heroes, telling them that the voyage would have to be delayed for a few days so the crew could make repairs to prevent the ship from dropping to the bottom of the sea.  They would stop over at a very small island just off the coastline that they had been hugging which was noted on the charts as the island of "Dacia."

The village they docked at was of a modest size. It seemed like it must be of some stragetic importance to Thena given the military presence, but in all perhaps a few hundred souls inhabited it, a mixture of local fisherman, artisans, as well as Thenain soldiers and sailors stationed there for customs, trade and protection.

They were free to do as they pleased, at least for the time being. The captain advised the heroes that they should make introductions to the village's mayor. "I and my men will stay with the ship so as to arrange the repairs." he stated. "Best to let the mayor know you'll be guests in the village. He'll be your source of information on this place too."

Eurenomes was not a priest of Poseidon; swift Hermes was his patron. Still he was of Argos and there is not an Argosian born whose veins are not as much seawater as blood. He was not surprised the ship was in difficulty.

"The Thenains might be the wisest of the Mineans in philosophy but at sea they are as children," he said to himself albeit not very quietly. He spent the day below decks playing dice with any sailor brave or dullwitted enough to wager against a priest of Hermes.

Despite the lay the priest was in good humour as their vessel sheltered at Dacia. He had faith in the gods and he wouldn't follow one god in particular without a healthy does of curiousity. Walking out onto the simple dock he looked around and smiled. "The mayor it is then. Maybe he plays dice."

Eurenomes cheerfully started walking towards the centre of the village, glancing back at the others to keep up.

Aleta had stayed below deck to try and survie he boat trip. This had to be the worst sea trip she had ever taken. As they got off the ship, she glared at Eurenomes "You should have prays to get us here quickly. Your god might not be of the sea but he is of speed I thought" she can't wait to get a good meal.

She looks at the others "Let us find the mayor and present ourselves"

For Arthanos, the boat trip was a new experience, though the leaking and the storm were less the pleasant. As the captain explained about the delay, Arthanos had to restrain from thanking the gods for the break.

Once on shore, Arthanos was glad simply for the chance to walk on something that wasn't moving, and the idea of meandering around to find the mayor seemed like a good one at this point.

"Sounds like a good idea."he says as he moves to join Eurenomes.

A quick question to one of the villagers provided them directions to a large building in the center of the village. As they walked away from the docks they could see that the village center was relatively well-maintained. Ornate stone tiles had been placed, along with statutes of Gods and Goddesses. In the center of the plaza was a small fountain as well, though it appeared to be lacking water at present.

Eurenomes, at the head of the group, pulled open a large hinge on a door leading into what was likely a city hall, or at least a place where the men and women of this village could gather for meetings or for celebrations and festivals. As for the present moment it was nearly empty, save for some artisans who appeared to be in the process of painting some of the statues and walls inside the hall.

They didn't need to ask where the mayor was though. Instead, she approached them with a look of curiosity in her eye. "Welcome, strangers, to Dacia. I am Khloe, the elected mayoress." She gives a slight curtsy to them even as she looks them over. "What brings you to our fair island?"

"A ship Khloe... if you can call it that." Eurenomes smiled and returned Kloe's curtsy with a slight bow.

"We are bound for Argos but our vessel needs a few days repairs at your noble isle. I am Eurenomes, a priest of swift thinking Hermes and these are lordly Arthanos, clever Aleta and wise Dysis. I would humbly request permission to stay in your fair village."

Aleta grins and nods. She figures she will wait to see if they have questions for them, otherwise why say anything.

Arthanos glances briefly at Eurenomes over his choice of descriptor before bowing slightly to the mayoress.

"Arthanos of the house of Ortanios at your service mayoress." he says politely, then leaving Eurenomes to continue to talk.



OOC: Had to go digging through my notes to find where I wrote my father and family name...then remembered it was in my character description.

Dysis, from slightly behind the others, inclined her head, and said simply "Mayoress," in greeting.

She was pleased to let the others do the talking.  Between a Hermetic priest, a nobleman, and an entertainer, she had no reason to intervene.  And besides, she didn't want to open her mouth, and spoil her appellation, the wise, which she wasn't entirely certain she lived up to.  She rather felt, were she truly wise, she'd be living a far simpler, safer, kind of life, somewhere.

Anyrate, she offered thanks to Poseidon that the issues with their vessel had not caused them to sink, somewhere in the midst of the ocean.  This was a pleasant enough detour, and it felt nice to be back on the land for a bit.  She admired the ocean's grandeur, respected its power, but water wasn't her element.  Literally.

Khloe gives a respectful "m'lord" upon hearing the noble house of Ortanios. She continues to address herself to Eurenomes however, since he had requested permission to stay. "Your request is granted, so long as you and friends don't make yourself a nuisance. We've had enough troubles already..." her countenance becomes thoughtful for a moment before she then states "This is a growing community as I'm sure you've already seen on your walk here. You'll be able to find most of the basic amenities that you'd find in any of the great three cities."

"I advise against leaving the village and exploring the island itself. Although you are quite safe within our walls, the rest of the island hasn't quite been... tamed yet."

Eurenomes smiled charmingly. "Thank you mayoress Khloe. Are there temples near at hand? I would offer thanks to proud Posiedon for guiding us here and pray to swift Hermes for his wisom."

Unable to resist his curiosity he asked. "What are these troubles you speak of? Perhaps we can help?"

While the others spoke Itylus had silently sneaked in to the hall, and he was now leaning against a column by the entrance of the hall, watching the artisans work while lost in thought. He had been bothered by the high number of soldiers in such a small town, and had stayed behind in the plaza for a moment trying to figure out why. However he hadn't been able to perceive anything wrong. At least at the surface.

He was thinking about inquiring the artisans when he suddenly heard the comment of the Mayoress about troubles. So, quietly, he got close to the group to better hear the conversation.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:26, Wed 11 Mar 2015.

She nods "Of course. As I'm sure you can imagine, many of our citizens, including myself, worship Poseidon directly as our Patron has given us his blessings that has allowed our community to flourish." She continues "There are shrines to the Gods share a pavilion in town though, not too far from the blacksmith's, were you can make sacrifices to the Gods as needed. There is usually steady traffic so I have no doubt you will be able to find it."

Khloe hesitates a moment when pressed on the 'troubles' facing the island though. "It really isn't anything you have to worry yourselves about or can help with really. The problem is the malcontents from the westerly side of the island. Some individuals have settled over there over the past several years and they blame us for their misfortunes." she gives an apathetic shrug. "I don't put much stock in their stories of woe and suffering though. Unfortunately there just isn't anything we can do for them."

She concludes "While I certainly put no restrictions on your mobility, I do recommend again that you stay within the village's limits. I am sure you will be able to find things to do entertain yourselves while your ship is being repaired."

Eurenomes nodded thoughtfully. "Thank you for your advice and aid."

Departing the hall Eurenomes began walking towards the temple pavillion, though not before confiding in the others. "As I said I shall go to the temples first, but after that we better find an inn... and see if we can stir up some gossip. Hermes knows Khloe didn't tell us all about those malcontents."

Aleta walks with the others "Yes, an inn is the best place to find out about what is really going on. I wonder if its people who had issues with the town for some reason"

Itylus nodded. "Yes, we need to find out in first place why these people started leaving the comfort of the town to settle in the western part of the island. Was it only to colonize the rest of the island? Or was there another reason behind this departure? And also we need to find out exactly what sort of problems they have had "
This message was last edited by the player at 20:25, Fri 13 Mar 2015.

She looks at Itylus "Hey, people split off all the time for various reason, so who knows. But a drink and talking are just up my line."

Arthanos shrugs as he answers. "A temple and an inn sound good. And as Aleta said, people split off all the time."

Dysis nodded her own agreement.

"As you both infer, there is always two sides to every tale.  At least. Sometimes, there is a third.  That being the truth.  Anyway, the pavilion of the gods and then an inn sounds like a fine plan to me."   

Itylus turned to the group and said. "Well, I will pay my respects to Artemis later in the woods so while you go to the temples I'll go ahead to the inn and start inquiring a little bit about the settlers in the western side of the island." turning to his fellow specialist who hadn't manifested much interest in talking to the gods neither he asked. "Want to join me, Aleta? Folks will probably loose more quickly their tongues with you than with me."

"Wait a moment." Eurenomes suggested. Turning to Aleta he reached out and very gently touched her forehead with his fingertips. The priest closed his eyes and murmured a brief prayer.

"Oh silvertongued Hermes, please grant this woman a boon."

---

OOC: Eurenomes casts Divine Blessing (Personal Charisma) on Aleta.

"Yes Itylus, let us go and find out what we can. I am normally pretty good at it" she grins mischievously.

Itylus chuckled. "Yes, I have no doubt about it, Aleta." Seeing Eurenomes intervention he added. "Now, that is a very useful trick, Eurenomes. With this we will probably be able to squeeze everything there is to know about this matter from the townspeople."

"Well then," he said turning to Aleta, and motioning towards a street that took outside the plaza. "Let's go find that inn? The sooner we get there the sooner we will get someone talking."