The RFD is a two masted aisling ship from a much earlier age of the Atlantean empire, made to traverse the deep oceans rather than hug the shores. It is old but exceptionally well cared for. The sails are furled as it sits in the harbor here in the Garden district in what could only be the personal pier of Alembos.

Ason and a few of the crew can be seen on board doing some of the work needed before departure.

Brude the pict is already on the ship going about his daily duties as the ships pilot. He spends his time going over charts and checking his navigation equipment.

Aias arrives carrying a single leather backpack. It would not be a stretch to imagine that it contained all his worldly belongings. He is wearing his light armor and has a gladius slung over his shoulder.

He offers a easy greeting to Ason and asks, "Where do I stow my gear and what would you have of me this fine morn?"

Conall arrives next.  Whatever he's been up to since the meeting at the tavern, he seems little changed this morning, wearing a wide smile as he spies the ship.

"Are we readying to go, or are some of our companions still giving the shore one last embrace?" he calls to Ason merrily.

Ason shakes his head..."A few earth huggers reamain but I expect them soon."

He looks at Aias then back at Conall and says..."Go below decks and find a bunk."

Nkruma arrives next. He again wears his ornate, ocean blue cloak. He is followed by a Human youth carrying two bags.

Reaching the ship, Nkruma takes one of the bags and places a few coins in the young man's hand before taking the second. "Olukun and the Orixa watch over you and yours, lad."

He then turns and hauls his gear aboard the vessel, at least two bows protrude from one of the bags, and a pair of quivers are lashed to the sides. Looking around the deck, he nods.

"Permission to come aboard," he calls aloud. Softer, he intones, "Deepwater, hear the pleas of your supplicant. Bless this vessel to your service and see her home safe again."

Stalking up the deck behind Nkruma, a few humans in tow carrying a slew of packages and bags.

"Aye, permission," she calls as well.  She turns to look at the humans.  "You, take all that to the kitchen.  You, come with me and stow things.  Once you're done, I'll have coin for you."

She looks to the Asena and cocks her head.  "Nkruma, is it?"

Fernao arrives with a backpack and belt pouches stuffed with gear. All of this is over his bronze full suit of armor, which is gleaming in the sun, and a good number of flowers that have been intertwined over his body and among the golden jewelry he wears on his horns and around his neck. His weaponry consists of javelins in a quiver next to his backpack, cestus, a few daggers, a net seemingly wrapped around one of his arms, and a particularly well taken care of flail hanging from his belt. In his left hand is a large, heavy shield of oak wrapped in bronze.

Despite the load his step is light and there is a surprisingly high and light hum as coming from him as he approaches the ship. Having served on it before he knows The Rosy Fingered Dawn well and with bright eyes he stops before boarding, "Greeting Captain. It is I, Fernao the Flowered, that requests to board.", he shouts.

As he speaks he catches sight of a sailor climbing across a topmast and with a look of excitement bellows in his direction in an even louder voice, "O! There is Saprys the Spry! Hoy there, my friend. Do you recall Fernao the Flowered? Hoy!"

Having shouted and bellowed his hellos in the direction of the Captain and crew he spies Kkruma and Sabetha who have arrived just before him. He continues speaking as if he had been chatting with them the entire time, though he does modulate his voice, "O! And look! It is my friend and my new friend. Hoy to you as well!"

"Nkruma, yes," the Asena answers the Atlantean woman. "Once of Ophir, now surviving at the mercy of the mighty Olukun, moving where and when he will."

He watches the Humans that came with her moving goods onto the ship. And then he winces slightly at the volume of Fernao. "Yes, mighty Tauran, it is I," he says in a quieter voice. "You are ready for this great journey?"

"Ophir," she says, contemplatively.  "If you care to hear the language of your home, let me know and I can practice speaking and you can correct all my improper use of verbs."  She chuckles, obviously mocking herself, and looks up at the Tauran and winks.

"Hoy, Flowered One!"

Fernao claps Nkruma on the shoulder and bows to the Sabetha, "I bring the flowers, Nkruma brings the waters, and your beauty brings the sun. All will be well, I think on this journey, Sabetha!", he says loudly.

In a much lower rumble he replies to the Asena with a wry smile, "I am ready and looking forward to showing what a Brute can do, my friend!"

Conall springs lightly aboard the ship, heading for the bunks below when he sees he others arrive in a group behind him.  "Come, come," he calls down, "once we are under way, there will be all the time in the world to talk!"

"Flowery words," she says, reaching out and brushing her fingers over some close petals.  "You flatter me too much."

She looks back to those waiting with her things and shakes her head.

"Here, go get yourself something to drink or buy some trinket for a loved one.  Spend this frivolously and with joy.  I'll make trips."  She presses coins at the humans, lifting one of her bags and marching up the gangway.

Thamyron strides up to the ship, carrying a long black wooden staff, polished to an almost metallic sheen. His long hair and beard are tied up with dark bands, and he again wears a long dark robe. A black and gold belt holds a dagger in a black sheath at his waist.  His clothing, though well-made, seems very plain for an Atlantean. To Brude and those who remember his time fighting and traveling in the past, however, it is not so much of a surprise. While he loves luxury like all his race, his past travels have lead him to be able to travel light and live rough. Of course, this didn't stop him from having several casks of liquor delivered to the ship to make sure he keeps the flask hidden in his robe full. He wears a worn backpack on his back, and his free hand holds a well-stuffed satchel that appears to be made to resist water damage.

He calls out, "Ahoy the ship, ready for me to board?"

He waves to all those who he remembers from the meeting.

Ason waves all aboard the ship, telling all to find a bunk below deck and stow their gear. He looks around and says, "The only one not here yet is the one who called herself the Seer..and Alembos himself. He is always late. He and his dog Vranu should be here shortly though. We cannot leave without them.

Brude notes how Ason has called Vranu a "dog". He says nothing but keeps it in mind that Ason is usually a very tolerant person.

Fernao comes aboard and stows his backpack and travel sack. Returning on deck he finds a place to sit down that is not in the way of the crew, but from which he may greet them as they are doing their duties. It was not long ago he too was one of them and he recalls most of them well.

Thamyron stows his gear, checks his provisions,  & returns to the deck. He turns into the sea breeze and inhales deeply, savoring the taste of the sea in the air. He then moves over to Fernao and says, "Hello. Ready to sail?"
This message was last edited by the player at 01:47, Fri 21 Feb 2014.

Koryos, who was already on the ship came up from below deck. He sits himself down next to Fernao after looking the biog Tauran over for  moment..."Once we get underway and out into the open sea, you will have to let me test that flail of yours against my axe. I must confess I have never faced that weapon in battle."

Fernao turns and gives the human a shy smile, "Well, yes, I think I would like that very much. An axe is a good weapon. It is direct. It is no fooling around. The flail... It takes strength. It takes balance. It is sometimes not so easy to use and it is always difficult to face.

"In this way a flail is like wine. If you are foolish and drink too much you have a horrible sickness the next day. See, but if you understand how to use your wine you will not feel badly. This is the way I think about it."

Koryos flashes a smile at the big Tauran and says..."You have an interesting way of looking at things my new friend! I once had dealings with a tribe of folk who had become displaced, none spoke as eloquently as you though."

He stands and says loudly..."This offer goes out to the rest of you as well....more than happy to try  your weapon here on the deck once we are out to open sea and killing time."

Actually just an IC way to explore the combat system for those of you who have not used this type of system before.

The Atlantean woman who calls herself the Seer approaches the ship is is waved aboard
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:13, Tue 25 Feb 2014.

About a minute later, Alembos approaches the gangplank with Vranu close on his heels.

Once aboard he looks upon those assembled and says..."Are we prepared for advanture and riches? The treasures of Old Atlantis await us upon the Sea of Grass!"

He looks to Ason and says..."I have arranged for a vril tug to tow us out of the canals and into the river, where you can let our sails do their work."

The small vril tugboat attaches to the bow of the Rosy Fingered Dawn and within a matter of less than twenty minutes the sailing ship is in the wide river with it's sails unfurled.

A strong wind catches the billowing cloth making the design of a great rising sun on both masts visible.

Ason is first to pilot the ship but after the unfurling of the sails hands the rudder over to Brude.

Nkruma stows his gear, armor, and weapons below deck and returns top side to feel the wind in his fur. He lifts his snout to the breeze and inhales deeply.

After taking a bit of ease, he will seek out Ason. "Do you anticipate any trouble sailing to this distant shore? I have heard that the seas between Gondwana and Europa suffer with piratical attacks." He scratches at his chin, one ear twitching slightly. "Olukun's province is the deep sea and ocean, but I believe that I can beseech him to grant us favorable seas and a strong current to speed us on our way. However... Well, you know as well as any that the gods are mighty and their attention often lies elsewhere."