Several weeks past....

The Swift Wind Lay crippled and wrecked on the shores of the Sword Coast. The broken ship's Captain was carried off into the night sky by the Black Dragon who had attacked it. Those crewman who had survived now stared at her battered and broken hull and knew she would never sail again. Loud sad creaking was the shipd dirge shortly before what reamined of her imploded and was turned to flotsam by the waves.

The remaining crew would have to make a fresh start, with a new ship.

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Present...

The port town of Fowlsport lay halfway between Sembia and Cormyr. It was a modest fishig town although quite a few ships came in for trade. The port was named for the great cloud of gulls that swarmed the place. Despite the towns small size it was crowded and busy. Especially the docks.

There was a single man of great note at the docks. His name was Angar Boatswright.  He was of great note because he was looking for a someone willing to captain  his new ship for him. A group that could lead profitable missions for his crew on behalf of himself his ships crew.The man was, as he usually was lately, waiting at the Inn of Crashing Waters. He was waiting to speak to anyone interested in commanding his ship at sea.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:22, Thu 12 Apr 2007.

After the fiasco at slaver caves, Hands had spent his time simply following Varul and the few remaining crew from the Swift Wind. Who could have known that the slavers would be able to call an adult dragon to help them? Or perhaps the dragon had been in charge? There was no way to know but Karal did not spend much time thinking about it either.

He had once thought to simply go about his own way once they finally got back to civilization but something had kept him from doing so. The big brute felt like he should not abandon the other sailors. At least not yet. Besides, he had fond he enjoyed the salt air and satisfying work aboard a sailing vessel. So, with the assumption that the others would be looking for work on a ship as well, Hands kept following along.

Varul angered by the dragons action makes sure the crew make it back to a port, even with his nasty disposition. Seeing that Angar Boatswright has a ship he decides to see what he is looking for as far as use of the ship, "So you have a ship with no crew...seems you need one. What be yer terms?" Vraul ask being blunt. And if no one interupts he will continue to negotiate, the crew that knows him just hopes that Angar relizes that you should not anger a barbarian...

The Inn was filled with many sailors singing and drinking and a half dozen barmaids bringing people their drinks.

Angar bid Varul to have an ale and explained himself.

"Well Varul it's simple. I own the ship, but I've gotten to the point where I'd rather stay at port and enjoy me profits. So I be willing to pay a crew a share each of the profits in the magority. I need to hire me captain as well, for three shares." Angar explained.
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:04, Sun 01 July 2007.

"It just so happens I have a crew of that has been wif me a while." Vraul says, "And I am sure I could get the specialist needed for special defense and leadership, some of which have sailed wif me before."

A dusty mage wanders into the inn and plops down on a nearby table. He quickly doffs his cloak and after a quick inspection he looks around for the barmaid. Oblivious to the talk of crewing a ship, he settles back to await his meal.

Karal stands impassively behind Varul trying to look supportive. He stands straight and tall, not as tall as the half-orc, but still an impressive sight with his bulging arms crossed over his broad chest.

Angar took a slurp of his ale.  "I see your tack, mate.  Your reputation goes before you, so you don't need to explain to me.  The answer right now is no.  If I were looking for boarders, then maybe.  But no, for my ship, I start with the Captain first.  If you're still in town when I find the Captain, then maybe.  But not everyone wants one of your kind around, even if you do have a strong arm."

Angar took a last glance into Varul's eyes and then turned from them; the conversation was finished.

You can hear the bones cracking as Varul makes a very tight fist and mumbles, "And that is why you cannot deal with humans....they think you will not cary out your orders. Once a hunter always a hunter....He'll come crawling when he needs to defend his cargo." He turns heads to the nearest tavern and ask for a small keg of ale. If he is not alone he will look for a large enough table for the crew that followed to join him.

Zorlax gives a slight smile at Angar. Perhaps an opening for a suitable crew member. He watchs the man like a predatory bird then falls into step beside him. This ship, does it need the services of a mage? I am currently...looking for...a new vessel and am in need of a timely sailing date. Zorlax studies the man closely to gauge the effects of his words while keeping a weather eye on the semi-monsterous sailors.

 Flik walks into the Inn carrying. His pack firmly strapped up while lazily leaning his halberd against his shoulder. He had won his freedom from Captain Blackmane with a particularly good hand. At first he couldn't believe his luck because last time she had totally and completely outplayed him. So much so that he even suspected of her cheating, not that there is anything wrong with that. It's all art of the game after all and sometimes luck needs a helping hand, but this time around it was barely even a contest. It was almost as if she had let him win. Which was kinda insulting...

 Oh well it was kinda fun while it lasted, although they had hit a streak of bad luck after running into that other ship. Flik shook his head to clear away the memories. He could remember the pirate and his adventures with them later, right now his stomach was demanding that he order some food. Flik took a seat at an empty table and called out for someone to come take his order.

Orders were taken, pints were poured, and some even had a good night.

Day brought little change, and the day after that.  Supplies of gold coin that were laid away thin out, as the gales of Utkar come early.  Many in Fowlsport, the dreary town down river from the Vast Swamp, headed West into Cormyr or East to Sembia looking for work or adventure.  Only complete fools headed into the swamp, of course.  But shipping dried up for the winter...


...until word got around that Angar was looking for you.  The ship he'd outfitted wasn't big; and it wasn't much compared to Cogs and Coasters typically encountered...but it had a certain...something about it.  It wasn't a knaar, but it was about as long; and it was certainly smaller than a longship, though it had many of the same lines.  He had most of a small crew, but not enough, apparently...

In the darkened back corner of the Inn, Lillian arose from her drunken stupor pushing the hand of a very effeminitive teen off her chest. Groggily she sat up and fumbled with half closed eyes for her hat.

With a voice that sounded like sliding gravel she croaked for the barkeep to bring her another drink, then unsteadily started to brush off some unknown matter of her hat.
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:59, Sun 22 July 2007.

Zorlax, inwardly thrilled at the thought of seeing the sea again, grinned at the messenger. Ahh Angar finally got his boat ready, Perhaps he'll fair better this voyage. He shudders as he recalls the last voyage. He quickly takes a seat at one of the last empty tables and waits for the usual recall from shore.

Flik was in the middle of a card game when word reached him. This game had gone on all night and it was finally just him and one other player. They had the pot split between them and as another round of ales came they had agreed to let one last hand  decide it all. The Subtle game of betting, bluffing and raising removed it was down to just the cards and who could play his hand the best. If he won this hand Flik would not want for cash for good long while, hell he may even be able to pay his father back what he owed for a change, and if he lost well... he could go a few days without a meal or a bed to sleep in. After all it's not like this would be the first time he had lost everything...

Flik a  true gambler showed his hand first. If he won he won, if he lost he lost. he didn't play for the money, he played for this moment right here. The thrill of not knowing of hanging on and waiting. Of the world dangling from a thin string ready to fall or to continue on. Unfortunately for Flik today the world fell. Oh well at least he had a job lined up. Perhaps his beautiful, kind and capricious goddess was giving him another push or was affectionately teasing him. Of course it was just as likely that she wasn't paying any attention to him at all this moment and he simply lost because he lost. Nah, she was always watching him. He was one of her favorites after all. One of the few blessed with the ability to make their own luck. "Well played my friend, it was a fun game. Perhaps the next time I'm here we can play again."

In all cases, on all days - the sleeting cold rain of a mid-week morning, the chill fog as it rolls downriver on cat feet, Angar does not come for you in person; but rather lets you seek out his warehouse and drydock on the edge of the run-down sailor's quarter...

The warehouse is an open affair; no walls on the river or south side; only a few interior walls that mark Angar's megre dwelling.  Clearly, you can see as you arrive, he puts all his work into his ship.  Small, but a beauty.

Zorlax pauses and admires the ship. He waits for a brief moment then approaches the boarding ramp. He nods to the quartermaster and inquires to speak with the officer of the deck.

"Ho there" calls the man nearest the plank.  First Mate comes by; looks you over.  "You'll be wanting to speak with Angar hisself, then.  Right that aways" he points Zorlax toward the warhouse...

In the warehouse, Angar can be found.  Amongst hanging things and smokey lanterns, he looks you over.  "Folks who know peoples like you, tell'd me about you.  Iz you as good as they say - with the magic?" He asks in hushed tones...

I can cast a few spells when the situation demands it. Hopefully my talents would run closer to keeping us away from those situations. Well met Angar, you know us mage types love our secrets.
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:28, Wed 25 July 2007.

"I be needin' a man who can grab the magic wit' both hands and make to do what they wants.  It's winterin' time; the winds are gonna pick up; the sea's gonna get restless...but likely few pirates or water raiders.  I need to send a ship to the far side, and I need men brave enough - and fool enough to do it.  No sense in paying you now, if you die before you reach the end, you'll no need for it.  But I have promise of 100 gold for each share of the crew, and a bonus besides, if you reach your destination at the turn of the year or sooner.  But all in all, for you, 2 shares just for riding along.  If things come to it, then more shares.  Of course, injury shares, etc. apply.  What say you, Wizard?

Zorlax looks thoughtful for a moment then falls into bartering mode. Two shares to harness the wildness of the art. I say 3 shares and choice of any magical items recovered during the voyage. Also I'll need a private room and some gold to stock it with. Did your fine ship happened to have a mage before you aquired it?
This message was last edited by the player at 17:23, Wed 25 July 2007.

Flik heads over to Angar's wharehouse and dry dock and stops for a moment to look over the ship. It was much smaller than the Desert Rose, but it seemed like as good a ship as any as far as Flik could tell. Although this time around he might not be able to get away with just playing ships doctor and counselor. Flik then approaches the nearest man and asks "Excuse sorry to interrupt, but where can I find Angar?"

It was small; a shallow sleeping deck; likely no quarters of any kind.  But it looked strong, compact, and somehow tight like a compound bow...this was a fast little cutter, built for speed and not comfort.

"I's Angar.  You's the one they call Flik, ain't'cha?"

He turns back to Zorlax, and says quietly "2 shares, shares is shares.  Din't do nothin', din't earn nothing.  Ans for items...what's items?  I'm looking to ship oars within 2 days, and sail fer a tenday.  WIth luck, the winter gales won't wreck ya."

Fine, 2 shares. However since you are confident there won't be anything to examine, magic wise, then you should have no problem granting my request to examine anything magical that turns up. Zorlax eyes flicker over Flik for a second and then he nods curtly before turning back to Angar.

"Hey Zorlax, what a nice surprise bumping into you again." Flik comments as after Zorlax nods to him.

"So Angar what's the deal and do you think that there is room on this boat of yours for a healer with limited sailing experience like me?"

Angar looks over Flik.  "I wouldna put out for ya iff'n I didn't want'cha.  This passage is no joke.  Gales are comin', pirates of the isles are lookin' fer one last take, and who knows what in the name of tarnation is waitin' down in them black waters..."

"Hells yeah, I want a priest of someone on board.  2 shares, just like your friend here.  And once you're on boards, you can set up with the captain.  Not having no sense dividin' the wind."

"Now, ain't much help with you two not knowin' the sea.  I need a few more, round her out.  Know anyone you trust, someone who ain't afraid o' you?"

Flik smiles as Angar mentions afraid of you. " I can't say that I ever met anyone who was afraid of me, as for those I could trust and would fit well into your crew I would have to say most of the other former crewmen of the desert rose would fit as long as we were working on the same team anyway.No one in particular comes to mind right now, but I'm sure in a moment or two someone will come to mind." He replies.

Alas, Flik is the only one I can vouch for. It seems we lsot most of the last crew when..Well I'm sure you've heard the story. I'd say a few muscle heads would help. Never know when a little brute force can come in handy.
Zorlax looks thoughtfully at the ship then asks Where DID you get this ship Angar?

"Ahh, feh." snorts Angar  "I've enough of the <i>Rose<i/>.  Nae more I can't not stands.  Yer lucky," he says, eyeing Flik "that you think no one's scared o'you.  'Cause that's a hard thing, when one knows what you know."

"The ship?  I built her, I did.  I'll scour around, and you stay close and be ready to go.   Today, tomorrow, the next at the last."

Zorlax nods and then boards the ship eager to investigate his "room". He heads toward the aft of the ship and enters the cabin areas looking for a cook, servant, or ship's boy to guide him to his suite.

It's switly apparent that this ship is built for speed and not comfort; a five-sided enclosure, no more than than a roof and a floor, really, constitutes the 'quarters' of the ship (a knaar/dragonboat) and while it probably provides cover from the rain, it's likely that in seas of magnitude, it'll be soaking wet...

Similarly, there is no cook, cabin boys are missing along with the cabins, and the only servants around are the burly, sour, skeptical ones that would normally sit behind the oars - but also look to the ones that you want to stand behind or beside in a fight...

Flik looks around the ship as well, it doesn't take very long. As he looks about he talks to whatever crewmen that might be near by. "Hi, I'm Flik. You could say that I'll be the ships doctor. I'm still pretty new to all this sailing stuff. So I'd appreciate it if you guys could give me some pointers and keep an eye out for me so I don't make an ass out of myself when we're out on the water."

There's little more than dour looks and scraggled faces from the sailing crew...

[Private to Lilian Espaireith: ??  You gonna get in with us so we can ship out or going to be left behind?]

Flik sighs "Well, you all certainly aren't a friendly bunch. You guys don't seem like you'll be much fun either. Oh well..."

Zorlax shurgs and quietly pulls out his spellbook to study a bit while times are slow.